Agriotes opaculus
(LeConte, 1859)
Opaque Click Beetle
Agriotes opaculus is a click beetle in the Elateridae, native to western Canada. The species has been documented in Alberta and British Columbia. Larvae of related Agriotes species are known as wireworms and are agricultural pests, though specific pest status for A. opaculus has not been established. The species is distinguished from similar click beetles by its opaque, non-shiny .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Agriotes opaculus: /ˌæɡriˈoʊtiːz oʊˈpækjələs/
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Identification
Distinguished from other Agriotes by its dull, opaque lacking the shine or luster seen in . The specific epithet "opaculus" refers to this non-reflective surface quality. Further diagnostic features require examination of genitalia or other detailed morphological characters not readily available in standard references.
Distribution
Recorded from Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Distribution records are sparse, with only six documented observations on iNaturalist as of source date.
Similar Taxa
- Agriotes lineatusBoth are in Agriotes and share the click beetle body form; A. lineatus is a known agricultural pest with larvae (wireworms) that attack potatoes, while A. opaculus lacks documented pest status. A. lineatus has been detected in contexts via eDNA in yard waste shipments, whereas A. opaculus appears restricted to its native Canadian range.
- Agriotes obscurusAnother congeneric with similar dull coloration; A. opaculus is distinguished by specific elytral sculpturing and body proportions requiring close examination.