elytra, and predatory larvae that inhabit dead

wood. They are often rare, and their presence may

indicate good-quality ancient woodland. On the

other hand, the genus Agriotes has larvae called

wireworms and live in the soil, where they can be

a pest, especially of root vegetables. A “worm” in

a potato is quite likely the larva of a click beetle.

the dead timber is left, but over-zealous

tidying up and burning or clearing of dead

trunks and branches can threaten their

survival. Recently, managers of many parks

and recreational forests have begun to

recognize the importance of dead wood

as an essential habitat for many organisms,

including beetles

above | Elater ferrugineus One of the

largest European click beetles, which is

a widespread but rare species that breeds

in old hollow trees.

opposite | Cidnopus aeruginosus

A European species with short-lived

diurnal flying adults, and larvae that

feed among roots in the soil.

right | Ampedus quadrisignatus

This strikingly colored European

species depends on dead wood in

ancient forests to survive.