Click Beetles
What are they?
The click beetles form the family Elateridae and are mostly a group of rather plain brown beetles. The family gets its name from an escape mechanism that various species employ. A stiff spine on the underside of the body can be placed into a groove and 'snapped' rapidly out if it. This action propels the insect into the air and - hopefully - away from danger. If restrained lightly, this action creates a clicking sound. These are abundant insects of many types of habitat, but especially woodland, where larvae feed on both deacying and healthy plant material, especially rotting wood. The larvae are often known as wireworms and rather resemble slender caterpillars.
Identification
As a group, click beetles can be recognized by their narrow, bullet-shaped bodies. They differ from the jewel beetles by having different proportions, with the thorax being larger relative to the size of the abdomen. Many of the smaller, plain brown species are impossible to identify in the field and often require critical examination under a strong lens.
Eyed Click Beetle Alaus oculatus
A startling beetle which is very eye-catching and, at nearly two inches long, our largest click beetle. This species is easily recognized by the two 'false eyes' on the back of the thorax.
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Conoderus lividus Conoderus lividus
A common but very plain click beetle which is often found in gardens and regularly comes to light at night.
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Tobacco Wireworm Conoderus vespertinus
A small and common species which is very variable in appearance but usually shows two darker brown marks on the thorax and a dark pattern down the center line of the wing cases.
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Melanotus sp.
The Melanotus click beetles are a bunch of closely-related species that tend to be relatively chunky in shape and a rich chestnut or mahogany brown in color. Most species cannot be determined without close examination of the genitalia - something that is not possible in normal field conditions.
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