Click Beetle
Scientific Name: Family Elateridae
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Elateridae
Size: Most species are 12 to 30 mm (0.5 to 1.25 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in soil, under bark, or on vegetation; frequently enter homes through windows or doors.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae (wireworms) eat roots and seeds; adults primarily feed on leaves, nectar, or pollen at night.
Behavior Patterns
Features a unique clicking mechanism that allows the beetle to snap its body and flip into the air to right itself or escape predators.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; larvae can be significant agricultural pests to root crops, but they play a role in soil nutrient cycling.
Identified on: 1/30/2026