Bug Identifier
Click Beetle
Community identification

Click Beetle

Family Elateridae

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera, Family: Elateridae
Size
Most species are 12 to 30 mm (0.5 to 1.25 inches) in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.