Click-beetle
Guides
Melanotus tenax
Melanotus tenax is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Melanotus contains numerous species of wireworms, the soil-dwelling larval forms that are significant agricultural pests. Larvae feed on roots and tubers of crops, causing economic damage in agricultural systems. Adults are generally nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Melanotus trapezoideus
Melanotus trapezoideus is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. The genus Melanotus contains several economically important wireworm species whose larval stages damage agricultural crops. Adults are characterized by their elongated bodies and ability to produce an audible clicking sound through a prosternal process that snaps into a mesosternal groove, a mechanism used for righting themselves when overturned. Specific biological details for M. trapezoideus remain poorly documented compared to congeneric pest species.
Melanotus verberans
click beetle
Melanotus verberans is a click beetle (family Elateridae) native to eastern North America. Adults are moderate-sized (9–12 mm), red-brown, and elongate. The larval stage consists of soil-dwelling wireworms that are significant agricultural pests, feeding on roots and tubers of various crops. Females produce a sex pheromone blend of 13-tetradecenyl acetate and 13-tetradecenyl hexanoate to attract males. Adult flight activity peaks from April through May.
Metanomus
Metanomus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Buysson in 1887. As a member of the diverse Elateridae family, species in this genus possess the characteristic clicking mechanism used for righting themselves when overturned. The genus is relatively poorly documented in public sources, with limited species-level information available.
Metanomus insidiosus
Insidious Click Beetle
Metanomus insidiosus is a click beetle species described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. As a member of the family Elateridae, it possesses the characteristic "click" mechanism that allows these beetles to right themselves when flipped onto their backs. The species is distributed across multiple Canadian provinces.
Microhypnus striatulus
Striated Click Beetle
Microhypnus striatulus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It is known from eastern and western Canada, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. The species was first described by LeConte in 1853. It is one of few described species in the genus Microhypnus, a group of small click beetles. Available information on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Monocrepidius auritus
Monocrepidius auritus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. As a member of this large beetle family, it possesses the characteristic ability to right itself from a supine position using a prosternal spine and mesosternal groove mechanism. The genus Monocrepidius contains multiple species distributed across various regions. Specific ecological details for M. auritus remain limited in available sources.
Monocrepidius bellus
Beautiful Wireworm
Monocrepidius bellus, commonly known as the Beautiful Wireworm, is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Monocrepidius belongs to a group of beetles whose larvae are known as wireworms, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded in citizen science observations, with over 1,700 iNaturalist records suggesting it is relatively detectable where it occurs. Its taxonomic placement within Elateridae indicates adult beetles possess the family's characteristic ability to right themselves from dorsal recumbency using a prosternal spine mechanism.
Monocrepidius browni
Monocrepidius browni is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It belongs to a genus of beetles characterized by the ability to produce an audible clicking sound through a specialized prosternal process that snaps against a mesosternal groove, a mechanism used to right themselves when overturned. The species is documented in entomological collections and databases, though detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Monocrepidius lividus
Click beetle, Wireworm beetle
Monocrepidius lividus is a click beetle in the family Elateridae, native to Europe and introduced to the eastern United States. It is one of the most frequently observed elaterid species on iNaturalist, with over 5,700 records. The species belongs to a genus that was historically conflated with related click beetle taxa, and its nomenclature has undergone revision.
Monocrepidius parallelus
Monocrepidius parallelus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It belongs to a genus of beetles characterized by the distinctive clicking mechanism used to right themselves when overturned. Limited specific information is available regarding its biology and ecology.
Monocrepidius pictus
Monocrepidius pictus is a species of click beetle (family Elateridae) within the order Coleoptera. As a member of this family, it possesses the characteristic ability to produce a clicking sound and perform a jumping motion when threatened, a defensive mechanism enabled by a prosternal process that fits into a mesosternal groove. The species epithet "pictus" suggests a patterned or painted appearance, though specific coloration details are not documented in available sources. Click beetles are generally associated with decaying wood and plant material in various terrestrial habitats.
Monocrepidius scissus
Peanut wireworm
Monocrepidius scissus is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the peanut wireworm. The common name reflects its larval form's association with peanut cultivation, where wireworm larvae can cause damage to developing crops. Adults are beetles with the characteristic body form of click beetles, capable of the jumping mechanism that gives the family its common name. The species has been documented across multiple observations, suggesting established populations in agricultural regions.
Monocrepidius suturalis
A click beetle species in the family Elateridae. Formerly classified under the genus Eleodes (family Tenebrionidae), this species was reclassified to Monocrepidius based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The species is characterized by a reddish-brown sutural stripe on dark elytra and occurs in grassland habitats of the Great Plains region.
Monocrepidius xysticus
Atta-associated Wireworm
Monocrepidius xysticus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the Atta-associated Wireworm. The species is known from 41 iNaturalist observations. As a member of Elateridae, it possesses the characteristic click mechanism for righting itself when overturned. The common name suggests an ecological association with leafcutter ants of the genus Atta, though the nature of this relationship requires further investigation.
Mulsanteus arizonensis
A click beetle species in the family Elateridae, known from very limited observations in the southwestern United States. The specific epithet 'arizonensis' indicates association with Arizona, though detailed biological information remains sparse due to minimal documented encounters.
Negastrius choris
Negastrius choris is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Negastrius belongs to the subfamily Negastriinae, a group of small click beetles. This species has been documented through at least one observation on iNaturalist, indicating it is recognized in citizen science databases. Beyond basic taxonomic placement, specific biological details about this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Negastrius colon
Colonist Click Beetle
Negastrius colon is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, described by Horn in 1871. It is known from western Canada, specifically Alberta and British Columbia. The common name "Colonist Click Beetle" has been assigned through iNaturalist. As a member of the genus Negastrius, it belongs to a group of small click beetles, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Negastrius ornatus
Negastrius ornatus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, subfamily Negastriinae. The genus Negastrius comprises small to medium-sized elaterid beetles, with species typically characterized by distinctive color patterns and morphological features. As with other members of the subfamily Negastriinae, adults are generally found in association with decaying wood and forest floor habitats.
Negastrius rupicola
Negastrius rupicola is a click beetle species described by Wells in 1996. It belongs to the family Elateridae, a large group of beetles characterized by their ability to click and jump when threatened. The species is known from British Columbia, Canada. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, ecology, or specific habitat requirements.
Neohypdonus
Neohypdonus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Stibick in 1971. It belongs to the diverse family of elaterids, characterized by their ability to produce a clicking sound and jump when threatened. The genus appears to be relatively small and poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on its species composition and biology.
Neohypdonus gentilis
Western Gentle Click Beetle
Neohypdonus gentilis is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the Western Gentle Click Beetle. It is a member of the genus Neohypdonus, which was established to accommodate species formerly placed in related genera. The species is documented from western North America, primarily in Canadian provinces and adjacent regions. As with other elaterids, adults possess the characteristic click mechanism for righting themselves when overturned.
Neohypdonus musculus
Neohypdonus musculus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It was described by Eschscholtz in 1822. The species is known from northwestern North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, United States. As a member of the click beetle family, it possesses the characteristic body plan and clicking mechanism used for righting itself when overturned.
Neohypdonus restrictulus
Restricted Click Beetle
Neohypdonus restrictulus is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, first described by Mannerheim in 1853. The species is known by the common name Restricted Click Beetle. It is distributed across high-latitude regions of North America, including Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec. As a member of Elateridae, it possesses the family's characteristic click mechanism for righting itself when overturned.
Neohypdonus tumescens
Swelling Click Beetle
Neohypdonus tumescens, commonly known as the Swelling Click Beetle, is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The species was described by LeConte in 1853. It is known from multiple provinces across Canada. The common name likely refers to a swollen or enlarged body feature, possibly the pronotum or overall body shape. As a member of Elateridae, it possesses the family-characteristic prosternal process that enables the clicking mechanism used for righting itself when overturned.
Neopristilophus aethiops
Neopristilophus aethiops is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. As a member of this family, it possesses the characteristic ability to right itself when flipped onto its back using a specialized prosternal spine that fits into a mesosternal groove, producing an audible clicking sound. The genus Neopristilophus belongs to a group of elaterid beetles, though specific ecological and biological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Neopristilophus maurus
Neopristilophus maurus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The species was described by LeConte in 1853. Records indicate presence in British Columbia, Canada. Available sources provide minimal biological information for this species.
Nitidolimonius
Nitidolimonius is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) described by Johnson in 2008. The genus is native to North America, with documented records from Vermont and elsewhere in the United States. As a relatively recently described taxon, its species-level diversity and biology remain incompletely documented.
Nitidolimonius resplendens
Resplendent Click Beetle
Nitidolimonius resplendens is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the Resplendent Click Beetle. The species was described by Eschscholtz in 1829 and is distributed across multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. As a member of the click beetle family, it possesses the characteristic ability to right itself when overturned by flexing its body to produce an audible clicking sound.
Nitidolimonius weidtii
Nitidolimonius weidtii is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, first described by Angell in 1892. It belongs to the tribe Limoniini, a group characterized by slender body forms. The species is known from a limited number of observations in western North America.
Octinodes schaumi
Octinodes schaumi is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Octinodes is a small group within the click beetles, characterized by distinctive morphological features. This species is known from very few records and remains poorly documented in scientific literature.
Oestodes tenuicollis
Oestodes tenuicollis is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, first described by Randall in 1838. It is a small, poorly documented species known primarily from eastern Canada. The genus Oestodes contains few species and is characterized by slender body proportions.
Oestodinae
Oestodinae is a subfamily of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Hyslop in 1917. It contains two valid genera: Oestodes Leconte, 1853 and Bladus Leconte, 1861. The subfamily is poorly studied, with limited biological or ecological information available beyond its taxonomic nomenclature.
Oistus edmonstoni
Oistus edmonstoni is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Oistus is a small group within this family, and O. edmonstoni appears to be a rarely encountered species with very few documented observations. Its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Orthostethus pectinicornis
Orthostethus pectinicornis is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The specific epithet "pectinicornis" refers to the comb-like (pectinate) antennae characteristic of males in this species, a trait shared with other members of the genus. Click beetles are named for their ability to right themselves when overturned by flexing a prosternal spine into a mesosternal groove, producing an audible clicking sound and propelling the beetle into the air.
Oxygonus montanus
Catskill Mountain Click Beetle
A click beetle in the family Elateridae, native to eastern Canada. Adults have been recorded from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. The common name suggests association with mountainous regions, though specific habitat requirements remain poorly documented. Like other elaterids, it possesses the characteristic clicking mechanism for righting itself when overturned.
Oxygonus obesus
Oxygonus obesus is a click beetle (Elateridae) described by Thomas Say in 1823. The species is poorly documented in modern literature, with only 13 iNaturalist observations as of the source data. It occurs in eastern and central Canada. As with other Elateridae, adults possess the family-characteristic prosternal process that enables the 'click' mechanism for righting themselves when overturned.
Paracardiophorus cardisce
Paracardiophorus cardisce is a click beetle in the family Elateridae, placed in the subfamily Cardiophorinae. The genus Paracardiophorus is distinguished from the related genus Cardiophorus by subtle morphological characters, particularly in the structure of the pronotum and prosternal process. This species is known from a limited number of observations, with records primarily from western North America.
Paracardiophorus fenestratus
Paracardiophorus fenestratus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Paracardiophorus is a small group within the cardiophorine beetles, characterized by specific morphological features of the pronotum and prosternal process. This species appears to be rarely collected, with limited occurrence data available.
Paractenicera fulvipes
Paractenicera fulvipes is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, first described by Bland in 1863. Records indicate this species occurs in eastern Canada, with documented observations from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. As a member of Elateridae, it possesses the family's characteristic ability to right itself from a supine position using a prosternal spine and mesosternal groove mechanism. The specific epithet 'fulvipes' refers to the tawny or yellowish coloration of the legs.
Paradonus beckeri
Paradonus beckeri is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, described by Stibick in 1991. It belongs to the genus Paradonus, which is part of the diverse Elateridae family characterized by their ability to produce a clicking sound through a prosternal process that snaps against a mesosternal groove. The species is known from limited collection records in eastern Canada.
Paradonus pectoralis
Large-chested Click Beetle
Paradonus pectoralis is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, originally described by Say in 1834. The species was previously classified under the genus Tetraonyx as Tetraonyx pectoralis. It is known from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The common name "Large-chested Click Beetle" reflects a distinctive morphological feature of this species. Like other click beetles, it possesses the characteristic prosternal process that enables the "clicking" mechanism for righting itself when overturned.
Parallelostethus
Parallelostethus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Schwarz in 1907. One species, P. attenuatus, has been studied in detail: males are strongly attracted to 1,8-octanediol di-hexanoate, a compound that may constitute the species' complete sex pheromone. The clicking mechanism's hinge morphology has been examined scientifically. In Indiana, P. attenuatus inhabits rotten logs where it consumes decaying moist wood tissue.
Parallelostethus attenuatus
Attenuated Click Beetle
Parallelostethus attenuatus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. Adult males are strongly attracted to 1,8-octanediol di-hexanoate, which may constitute their complete sex attractant pheromone. The species has been studied for the detailed morphology of its thoracic hinge mechanism used in the characteristic "click" jumping behavior of the family. In Indiana, it is commonly found in rotten logs feeding on decaying moist wood tissue.
Pheletes
Pheletes is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae, established by Kiesenwetter in 1858. The genus includes at least two described species: Pheletes aeneoniger and Pheletes lecontei. It is recorded from northern Europe, with distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Pheletes lecontei
Pheletes lecontei is a species of click beetle (family Elateridae). The genus Pheletes is a small elaterid group. As of current records, this species has been documented in only 8 observations, indicating it is rarely encountered or poorly known.
Pherhimius fascicularis
Bundled Click Beetle
Pherhimius fascicularis is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the Bundled Click Beetle. The species was originally described as Elater fascicularis by Fabricius in 1787. As a member of the click beetle family, it possesses the characteristic ability to right itself when overturned by flexing its body to produce an audible clicking sound. The genus Pherhimius is part of the diverse Elateridae, one of the largest families within Coleoptera.
Physorhinus fusculus
Physorhinus fusculus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The larvae and pupae have been formally described, and the male genitalia have been redescribed. Mexican agave has been documented as a host plant.
Proludius pyrros
Proludius pyrros is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Proludius was established relatively recently, with species previously assigned to related genera such as Ludius. Based on iNaturalist records, this species has been documented over 1,200 times, indicating it is moderately well-observed in the field. Like other elaterids, it possesses the distinctive prosternal process that enables the characteristic "clicking" jumping mechanism.
Prosternon medianus
Click beetle
Prosternon medianus is a click beetle (Elateridae) species native to eastern North America. It is characterized by its elongated, parallel-sided body form and smooth, dark elytra with subtle pubescence. The species is associated with forested and riparian habitats where its larvae develop in decaying wood. Adults are active during spring and early summer, with activity peaking in May and June. The species is part of the diverse Prosternon genus, which contains approximately 15 species primarily distributed in the Holarctic region.