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"Springing Beetles, Elateridae, are narrower and more elongate than the former, and their legs are so short that when they fall on their backs they are as unable to right themselves as a capsized turtle, but by bending the head and thorax backwards, and making use of the prolongation already described, they are enabled to spring to a height fully ten times their own length, and this operation they repeat until they fall on their feet. The noise which accompanies the springing process has earned for them the name of Click Beetles." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Click Beetle

"Springing Beetles, Elateridae, are narrower and more elongate than the former, and their legs are so…

The family Elateridae is commony called click beetles (or "typical click beetles" to distinguish them form the related Cerophytidae and Eucnemidae), elaters, snapping beetles, spring beetles or "skipjacks". They are a cosmopolitan beetle family characterized by the unusual click mechanism they possess. There are a few closely-related families in which a few members have the same mechanism, but all elaterids can click. A spine on the prosternum can be snapped into a corresponding notch on the mesosternum, producing a violent "click" which can bounce the beetle into the air. Clicking is mainly used to avoid predation, although it is also useful when the beetle is on its back and needs to right itself. There are about 7000 known species.

Click Beetle

The family Elateridae is commony called click beetles (or "typical click beetles" to distinguish them…

Also known as skipjacks. They are a beetle characterized by a click mechanism they possess, which they use to avoid predation.

Click Beetle

Also known as skipjacks. They are a beetle characterized by a click mechanism they possess, which they…

Click beetle, part of the family Elatoridae.

Click Beetle

Click beetle, part of the family Elatoridae.

A click beetle, member of the Elatoridae family.

Elatoridae

A click beetle, member of the Elatoridae family.

Wood-boring wirer-worm, from side. Also known as Click Beetle larva.

Wire Worm

Wood-boring wirer-worm, from side. Also known as Click Beetle larva.