CLICK BEETLE

Coleoptera: Elateridae

By Eric Day

SIZE: 1/4 to 3/4 inch (6.4-19.1 mm).

COLOR: Brown.

DESCRIPTION: These flattened, elongate, brown beetles are

about 1/4 to 3/4 inch long. On their underside, they have a
click mechanism that aids them in defense and righting
themselves when they are turned upside down. They release
this mechanism with an audible "click" which causes the head
to snap back with such force that they can be propelled into
the air as much as several inches.

HABITAT: In the mid-to-late summer, people often

encounter large numbers of click beetles coming to lights and
getting into houses.
Adult click beetles. Steve L. Brown,
TYPE OF DAMAGE: The larval form of the click beetle is
University of Georgia. Bugwood.org
the wireworm, which can be a pest in gardens and turf if there
are large numbers of them. The wireworms feed on the roots
of plants. Click beetles feed on nectar from flowers and are not pests.

CONTROL: The best way to reduce the number of click

beetles in the house is with a reduction in the number of
outside lights on at night and tightening and patching of
screens. If desired, individual beetles can be controlled
with an aerosol spray.

Wireworm. Richard Sprenkel, University

of Florida, Bugwood.org.

2011 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 3104-1575

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