Click beetle

Scientific Name: Family Elateridae

Order & Family: Order Coleoptera, Family Elateridae

Size: Typically 0.2 to 2 inches (5-50 mm) in length, depending on the species.

Click beetle

Natural Habitat

Found in various habitats including forests, grasslands, gardens, and agricultural fields. Larvae (wireworms) live underground.

Diet & Feeding

Adult click beetles primarily feed on nectar, pollen, decaying plant matter, or sometimes small insects. Larvae (wireworms) are often omnivorous, feeding on roots, seeds, fungi, other soil organisms, or decaying wood.

Behavior Patterns

Known for their unique 'clicking' mechanism, where they can flip themselves over when on their back, often with an audible click. Most are nocturnal or crepuscular. Larvae can live for several years in the soil.

Risks & Benefits

Larvae (wireworms) can be significant agricultural pests, damaging crops by feeding on roots and seeds. Adult beetles are generally harmless to humans. They contribute to decomposition and are part of the food chain for other animals.

Identified on: 9/18/2025