Click beetle

Vegetation, woodland edges, gardens, and areas around buildings; adults are often attracted to lights and windows.

Adults generally feed on nectar, pollen, or plant material, though some eat little. Larvae (“wireworms”) live in soil or decaying wood and feed on roots, seeds, or other insects.

Adults are elongated, hard-bodied, and nocturnal or crepuscular, commonly found on screens and illuminated surfaces. When flipped over, many can snap a spine into a groove to spring into the air with an audible click.

Usually harmless to people and homes, and adults may contribute to pollination or natural food webs. Some larval wireworms damage crops and garden roots, but species-level identification is needed to assess pest status.