Community identification
Click Beetle
Aeolus mellillus
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera, Elateridae
- Size
- 10-20 mm
Natural Habitat
Fields, gardens, and occasionally homes; often near moisture or light sources
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on flower nectar and small insects; larvae (wireworms) feed on plant roots
Behavior Patterns
Possesses a unique hinge mechanism between the thorax and abdomen that allows it to snap, making a loud clicking sound and jumping several inches when threatened
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; larvae can be minor garden pests, while adults provide limited ecosystem pollination