Which order has forewings hardened into elytra and includes the Colorado potato beetle and lady beetles?

Which order has forewings hardened into elytra and includes the Colorado potato beetle and lady beetles?

• A. Lepidoptera
• B. Coleoptera
• C. Diptera
• D. Hymenoptera

Answer: (B)

A key feature being tested is the presence of hardened forewings called elytra, which protect the delicate hind wings. This trait defines beetles, the order Coleoptera. The Colorado potato beetle and the lady beetles are both beetles, so they share elytra as their forewings. In contrast, Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) have wings covered in tiny scales, Diptera (true flies) have just one pair of wings with halteres, and Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) have two pairs of wings with distinct coupling.

A key feature being tested is the presence of hardened forewings called elytra, which protect the delicate hind wings. This trait defines beetles, the order Coleoptera. The Colorado potato beetle and the lady beetles are both beetles, so they share elytra as their forewings. In contrast, Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) have wings covered in tiny scales, Diptera (true flies) have just one pair of wings with halteres, and Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) have two pairs of wings with distinct coupling.