Common Name:
Click Beetle
Scientific Name:
Family Elateridae
Unique Qualities:
Click Beetles hatch as long, shiny larvae without wings, often called wireworms. The larvae then go through several changes called metamorphosis to become an adult beetle, up to 3 cm long. If a click beetle falls on its back, it can flip itself over by flinging itself into the air with a “click” sound. It does this by snapping two sections of its thorax together.
Can be Seen:
These insects can be found all over the world. There are over 850 species of click beetles in North America alone!
Likes to Hang Out:
Adult Click Beetles can be seen on plants, flowers, bark, or on the ground. Larvae like to hang out on rotten logs, in the soil, or on moss.
Likes to Eat:
Adult Click Beetles eat plants, nectar, pollen and sometimes other insects. Larvae feast on newly planted seeds and roots.
Status:
Click beetles are plentiful and widespread, there are no species that are threatened or endangered. In fact, some species that have been introduced to Canada are actually a threat to habitats and crops; they are known as invasive or alien species. For example the Lined Click Beetle is an invasive species that was brought here by accident on ships carrying materials to Canada from Europe or Asia.
