Ctenicera kendalli

Distinguished from other Ctenicera species by subtle morphological features of the pronotum and elytral sculpture; precise identification requires examination of male genitalia or detailed comparison with type material. The serrated antennae separate Ctenicera from most other elaterid genera. Separation from the similar and widespread Ctenicera aeruginosa and Ctenicera pectinicornis requires specialist knowledge and reference to original descriptions.

Documented from five Canadian provinces: Alberta (CA-AB), British Columbia (CA-BC), Manitoba (CA-MB), New Brunswick (CA-NB), and Newfoundland and Labrador (CA-NF). The disjunct distribution pattern suggests possible habitat specialization or under-sampling.

Possesses the elaterid clicking mechanism: when placed on its back, the beetle arches its body, causing the prosternal process to snap into a mesosternal groove, producing an audible click and propelling the beetle into the air to right itself. Specific behavioral observations for this species are not recorded.

• Ctenicera aeruginosaOverlapping distribution in Canada; similar serrated antennae and body form; distinguished by elytral coloration and punctation pattern
• Ctenicera pectinicornisSympatric in parts of range; both have strongly pectinate antennae; requires examination of pronotal and elytral details for separation
• Ampedus speciesSimilar elongate form and coloration in some species; Ampedus has filiform or weakly serrate antennae rather than the strongly serrated antennae of Ctenicera

• click beetle
• Elateridae
• Canadian fauna
• serrated antennae

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy