Click Beetle (Elateridae)

Natural Habitat

Click beetles are found in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, gardens, and sometimes indoors. Larvae (wireworms) live in the soil.

Diet & Feeding

Adult click beetles typically feed on pollen, nectar, or plant sap, but some may not feed at all. The larvae (wireworms) are primarily herbivorous, feeding on plant roots, seeds, and tubers. A few species of wireworms are predatory on other soil insects.

Behavior Patterns

The adult is nocturnal and hides during the day. Females lay eggs in crevices. Larvae are known as wireworms and are destructive pests, feeding on roots and underground stems. They can be found in soil, often near crops. Adult click beetles can jump and make a 'clicking' sound to right themselves if overturned, or to escape predators.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Wireworms (larvae) are significant agricultural pests, causing damage to crops such as corn, wheat, potatoes, and vegetables by feeding on roots and seeds, leading to yield loss. Benefits: Adult click beetles can be pollinators. Some wireworm species are predatory, consuming other insect larvae that are considered pests.

Identified on: 7/2/2025