| Click beetles |
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Eyed Elater.
Photo by Rob MacGrogan |
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| Genera |
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incomplete list
Alaus - eyed elater
Melanotus
Pyrophorus
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Click beetles (family Elateridae), sometimes called "elaters", are distinguished by the unique click sound they produce. Due to their large bodies and short legs, click beetles can only right themselves by quickly snapping their head and thorax. This motion produces the distinct clicking sound and bounces the beetle into the air. The click beetle will repeat this process until it lands on its feet. The click can also be used to escape from predators, or scare them away.
Click beetles are typically large and beautiful insects, like the eyed elater picture to the right.
Click Beetles (Elater Beetles) are leaf eaters. They are nocturnal.
The larva of the click beetle, sometimes called the wire worm, is said to be a pest of turfgrass and other ornamental plants.
