Elaterinae

Elaterinae can be distinguished from other elaterid subfamilies primarily through examination of prosternal and mesosternal structures, though specific diagnostic characters vary among tribes. The prosternal process typically fits into a mesosternal groove to form the clicking mechanism. Detailed identification to tribe or genus level requires examination of antennal structure, body form, and genitalic characters.

Worldwide distribution with 12 tribes; documented from Lord Howe Island, Australia (Pacific Ocean) with at least seven genera present.

Possesses the characteristic clicking or springing mechanism shared with other Elateridae, allowing the beetle to launch itself into the air to right itself when on its back.

Some species are agricultural pests; Monocrepidius exsul is noted as an established exotic pasture pest on Lord Howe Island.

• Other Elateridae subfamiliesDistinguished by prosternal-mesosternal junction structure and other subtle morphological characters; Elaterinae specifically defined by tribal-level characteristics that separate it from subfamilies such as Agrypninae, Cardiophorinae, and others.

• click beetles
• Coleoptera
• Elateridae
• worldwide distribution
• 12 tribes

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• A review of Ochosternus Candèze, 1863 from Lord Howe Island, Australia and key to the genera of Elateridae occuring there (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Elaterinae)