Beetle shells, also known as elytra, are the hard outer coverings of beetles. These shells serve as protective armor, shielding the beetle's delicate wings and body from predators and environmental hazards. Made of a tough material called chitin, elytra can come in various colors and patterns, which can help with camouflage or warning signals. In addition to protection, beetle shells play a role in flight. When a beetle is ready to fly, it lifts its elytra to expose its membranous wings underneath. This unique adaptation allows beetles, part of the Coleoptera order, to be one of the most diverse groups of insects on Earth.