Click beetles, belonging to the family Elateridae, are a diverse group of insects known for a unique ability. When overturned, they can use a specialized spine on their prosternum, the first segment of their thorax, to snap into a groove on their mesosternum, producing an audible “click” that propels them into the air, allowing them to right themselves. These beetles typically have elongated, streamlined bodies and a hard exoskeleton, often appearing in shades of brown, black, or gray.
Global Distribution
Click beetles exhibit a wide global distribution, with over 10,000 species identified worldwide. They can be found on nearly every continent, adapting to diverse environments from tropical to temperate regions. While many species thrive in temperate climates, the greatest number of species are found in the tropics. Their widespread presence means they are largely absent only from extremely cold, very wet, or arid desert environments.
Specific Habitats
Click beetles inhabit a variety of environments, with specific preferences for moisture and organic matter. They are commonly found in natural settings such as forests and woodlands, where they reside under loose bark of dead or decaying trees and within rotting logs. Leaf litter on the forest floor also provides suitable shelter and access to decomposing organic material. Many species are subterranean, living within the soil in grasslands, meadows, and agricultural fields. They often seek out damp, sheltered places, including under rocks or other debris, where consistent moisture is retained.
Life Cycle and Habitat Use
Click beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, each utilizing different habitats. Female click beetles typically lay their eggs in the soil or near host plants. The larval stage, known as wireworms, are hard-bodied, elongated, and typically yellowish-brown, spending several years underground, feeding on plant roots, seeds, and tubers. After prolonged larval development, wireworms pupate within the soil, forming an earthen cell. Adult click beetles then emerge from the soil, transitioning to above-ground environments where they are frequently found on vegetation, flowers, or under loose tree bark, often active at night.
Interactions with Human Environments
Click beetles frequently interact with human-modified landscapes, including gardens, parks, and agricultural fields. Their presence in these areas is often due to the availability of cultivated soil and and diverse plant life. While adult click beetles are generally harmless and rarely found indoors, they might occasionally enter homes, sometimes attracted by lights at night. However, their larval form, the wireworm, is a significant concern for agriculture. Wireworms are considered pests because they feed on the roots, seeds, and underground stems of various crops, including potatoes, corn, wheat, and other vegetables. This feeding behavior can lead to considerable crop damage and reduced yields.