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TYPICAL CLICK BEETLES

ELATERIDAE: ELATERINAE

T

he click beetles (family Elateridae) include at

least 10,000 species found worldwide, and are

now divided into 17 subfamilies. The name comes

from the ability of adults to leap into the air with an

audible click, caused by sliding a peg into a smooth

pit on the underside of the thorax, which catapults

the insect upward, helping it to right itself if it has

fallen on its back, or to escape predators. Studies

have shown that a clicking beetle can leap up to

12 in (30 cm) and may experience acceleration of

up to 380 G. After clicking, they pull their legs and

antennae in and lie still for a time, and a predator

does not know where they have landed. Many

other common names, such as “snappers” and

“skipjacks,” are linked to this behavior.

One of the largest subfamilies is Elaterinae

(typical click beetles), with around 3,500 named

species. These are medium-sized beetles found in a

range of habitats, and in the northern hemisphere

include many species of conservation importance,

as well as some pests of agriculture. Adults of the

genus Ampedus usually have bright red or orange

ELATERIDAE: ELATERINAE

subfamily

Elaterinae

known species

3,500

distribution

Worldwide, with many species in temperate

latitudes as well as the tropics

habitat

From ancient forests to agricultural fields

size

4–25 mm

diet

Larvae usually predators or root feeders,

while adults may graze on vegetation or feed

on flowers

notes

Many spectacular genera of Elaterinae, such

as Elater, Ischnodes, Ampedus, Brachygonus,

and Megapenthes, require a dead-wood

habitat to breed. As with many beetles, they

rely on a supply of fallen trees. They can use

small patches of suitable habitat such as old

city parks and gardens, as long as some of