Final answer:
The beetle has a hardened pair of forewings called elytra, and it is an insect with two pairs of wings attached to the thorax, featuring six legs and antennae for sensing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The animal with a hardened pair of forewings called elytra is the beetle, which belongs to the order Coleoptera in the class Insecta. Insects, such as beetles, have two pairs of wings attached to the thorax, with the forewings, or elytra, serving as a protective armor. Insects are recognized for having six legs and a pair of antennae for sensing, which differentiates them from other arthropods with different numbers of legs and body segments. Beetles exhibit one of the most fascinating variations in insect wing development, where their elytra serve the essential function of protecting their hindwings and body when not in flight.