Click-beetles
Guides
Aeolus
click beetles
Aeolus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising over 220 described species distributed worldwide. Members of this genus possess the characteristic elaterid body plan with a prosternal process that engages with a mesosternal cavity, enabling the 'clicking' mechanism used to right themselves when overturned. The genus was established by Eschscholtz in 1829 and is currently classified within the subfamily Agrypninae and tribe Oophorini.
Agriotina
Agriotina is a subtribe of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Laporte in 1840. It belongs to the tribe Agriotini within the subfamily Elaterinae. Members are characterized by morphological traits associated with the elaterid body plan, including the prosternal process that interacts with the mesosternum to enable the 'clicking' escape mechanism. The subtribe encompasses multiple genera of generally small to medium-sized beetles.
Agrypninae
click beetles (subfamily)
Agrypninae is a subfamily of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Candèze in 1857. It comprises at least 130 genera and more than 430 described species worldwide, with substantial diversity in the Australian, Neotropical, Afrotropical, and Palaearctic regions. The subfamily includes five recognized tribes: Agrypnini, Drilini, Hemirhipini, Oophorini, and Pseudomelanactini. Notable genera include Monocrepidius (formerly Conoderus), one of the largest genera in Elateridae with approximately 380 species, as well as Selasia, Lacon, Lolosia, and Microselasia.
Agrypnini
Agrypnini is a tribe of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Candèze in 1857. The tribe belongs to the subfamily Agrypninae and contains approximately 24 recognized genera distributed across multiple continents. Members share the characteristic click beetle morphology and jumping mechanism enabled by the prosternal process. The genus Agrypnus, the type genus, is among the most species-rich and widely distributed within the tribe.
Aplastini
Aplastini is a tribe of click beetles (Elateridae) within the order Coleoptera. Members of this tribe are characterized by morphological features that distinguish them from other elaterid tribes, though detailed biological information remains limited. The tribe contains relatively few described species compared to larger elaterid tribes. Observations suggest they occupy diverse terrestrial habitats across their range.
Athous
click beetles
Athous is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Eschscholtz in 1829. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with numerous Nearctic and Palearctic species transferred to other genera including Hemicrepidius, Harminius, and Acanthathous. Species occur across forested habitats in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, with some species showing distinct habitat preferences for either broadleaved or coniferous woodlands. Larvae are predaceous or feed on dead invertebrates, and adults occasionally feed on plant material.
Berninelsonius
Berninelsonius is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Leseigneur in 1970. The genus is poorly known, with only three documented observations on iNaturalist and limited published information. Its members share the characteristic body plan of elaterid beetles, including the pronotal structure that enables the clicking mechanism. The genus appears to be restricted to northern Europe, with records from Norway and Sweden.
Cerophytum
rare click beetles
Cerophytum is a genus of rare click beetles in the family Cerophytidae, established by Latreille in 1809. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across the Holarctic region (Europe, Asia, and North America). Members are characterized by their clicking mechanism, which represents convergent evolution with the true click beetles (Elateridae). A fifth species, Cerophytum lii, was described in 2025 from Yunnan Province, China, representing the first record of the family in that country.
Chalcolepidius
click beetles
Chalcolepidius is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising approximately 63 species, with the majority distributed in the Americas. Species within this genus are typically large, metallic-colored beetles associated with woody vegetation. The genus was revised by Casari in 2002, and new distribution records continue to be documented, particularly in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Dendrocharis
Dendrocharis is a genus of Asian click beetle allies in the family Eucnemidae, established by Félix Guérin-Méneville in 1843. It is the type genus of the tribe Dendrocharini. The genus contains eight described species distributed across Southeast Asia.
Dendrometrinae
Dendrometrinae is a large subfamily of click beetles (Elateridae) containing at least 10 tribes worldwide, including Athoini, Crepidomenini, Denticollini, Dimini, Oxynopterini, Prosternini, Semiotini, and Senodoniini. The subfamily has undergone substantial taxonomic revision, with several formerly recognized subfamilies (Athoinae, Crepidomeninae, Denticollinae, Oxynopterinae, Prosterninae, Semiotinae) reduced to tribal rank. Species diversity is concentrated in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions, with some representation in the Nearctic.
Dendrometrini
Dendrometrini is a tribe of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Gistel in 1848. The tribe encompasses several formerly independent higher-rank groups—Athoinae, Denticollinae, and Hemicrepidiini—which have been reclassified as subtribes. This taxonomic consolidation reflects modern phylogenetic understanding of relationships within the subfamily Dendrometrinae. Members share the characteristic click mechanism of Elateridae, enabling beetles to right themselves when overturned.
Denticollis
Denticollis is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established in 1783. The genus occurs across Eurasia and North America. The most widely known species is Denticollis linearis, described by Linnaeus in 1758. Species in this genus are part of the subfamily Dendrometrinae.
Dicrepidiini
Dicrepidiini is a tribe of click beetles (Elateridae) within the subfamily Elaterinae. Members are characterized by specific morphological features of the prosternal process and associated structures. The tribe was established by J. Thomson in 1858 and remains taxonomically accepted.
Diplostethus
Diplostethus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) containing six described species. Members range from 16 to 25 mm in length and are distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus is morphologically similar to Pittonotus.
Dolerosomus
Dolerosomus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) described by Motschulsky in 1859. Members of this genus are part of the diverse and economically significant family of beetles known for their ability to right themselves using a spring-loaded prosternal process. The genus is known from the northeastern United States, with documented records from Vermont. As a genus-level taxon, individual species within Dolerosomus share the characteristic morphology and behaviors typical of Elateridae, though specific biological details remain limited in published literature.
Drapetes
Drapetes is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Dejean in 1821. The genus belongs to the subfamily Lissominae and tribe Lissomini, a group characterized by certain morphological features associated with their clicking mechanism. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Elateridae family, which contains approximately 10,000 described species worldwide. The genus name Drapetes is also used for a plant genus in Thymelaeaceae, creating a homonym situation across kingdoms.
Eanus
Eanus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1861. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles within the diverse Elateriformia infraorder. The genus has been documented from multiple regions including Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden) and parts of North America (Vermont, United States). Records from iNaturalist indicate regular observation activity with over 200 documented sightings, suggesting the genus is not exceptionally rare where it occurs.
Elater
click beetles, elaters
Elater is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae, characterized by a distinctive prosternal spine and mesosternal notch mechanism that produces an audible click when flexed. The genus includes species that are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, with larvae that are predatory on other insects in decaying wood. Some species are attracted to fermenting substances and are captured in ethanol-baited traps.
Elaterinae
click beetles
Elaterinae is a subfamily of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising 12 tribes distributed worldwide. Members possess the characteristic 'click' mechanism of the family, using a prosternal spine and mesosternal groove to spring themselves upright when overturned. The subfamily is taxonomically diverse and includes numerous genera across varied habitats. On Lord Howe Island, Australia, at least seven genera have been documented, including the endemic radiation of Ochosternus.
Esthesopus
Esthesopus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) in the subfamily Cardiophorinae. Members of this genus possess the characteristic click mechanism of elaterids, allowing them to right themselves when overturned. The genus was established by Eschscholtz in 1829 and is classified within the diverse Elateroidea superfamily. Species within Esthesopus share the general morphology of Cardiophorinae, including elongated bodies and often patterned elytra.
Eucnemidae
False Click Beetles
Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles, is a family of elateroid beetles comprising approximately 1,700 species distributed worldwide. The family is closely related to Elateridae (true click beetles) and shares the ability to produce an audible clicking sound through a prosternal-mesosternal mechanism, though this trait is less pronounced than in true click beetles. Larvae are saproxylic, developing in decaying wood where they feed on fungal fluids using specialized digestive adaptations. Adults are typically short-lived and frequently observed on broken wood surfaces.
Euryptychini
Euryptychini is a tribe of click beetles within the family Eucnemidae, established by Mamaev in 1976. Members of this tribe are classified in the subfamily Macraulacinae and share characteristics typical of the false click beetles, including reduced or modified clicking mechanisms compared to true click beetles (Elateridae). The tribe is relatively small and poorly documented in the scientific literature, with limited biological and ecological information available.
Euthysanius
Arboreal Click Beetles
Euthysanius is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) commonly known as Arboreal Click Beetles. Species in this genus are associated with arboreal habitats, living in and around trees. The genus was established by LeConte in 1854 and is currently accepted in the family Elateridae. Based on iNaturalist observations, the genus has documented presence in North America with moderate observational frequency.
Floridelater
Floridelater is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) described in 2017 by Douglas. The genus is known from very few observations and its taxonomic status is marked as doubtful in some databases. As a recently described genus in a large and diverse family, its circumscription and species content remain poorly documented in the literature.
Hadromorphus
Hadromorphus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Motschulsky in 1859. The genus belongs to the diverse elaterid fauna, characterized by the family-defining prosternal process that enables the clicking mechanism for righting when overturned. Species within this genus are documented primarily from the Palearctic region, with records from Europe and Asia. The genus contains multiple described species, though comprehensive taxonomic revision and ecological study remain limited in the published literature.
Hemicrepidiina
Hemicrepidiina is a subtribe of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Champion in 1896. Members belong to the family Elateridae, a large group characterized by their ability to "click" and right themselves when overturned. The subtribe is placed within the tribe Dendrometrini and subfamily Dendrometrinae. iNaturalist records indicate substantial observational data with over 10,000 observations, suggesting ecological significance and active research interest.
Hemirhipini
Hemirhipini is a tribe of click beetles (family Elateridae) within the subfamily Agrypninae, established by Candèze in 1857. Members of this tribe are characterized by specific morphological features of the prosternal process and elytral structure that distinguish them from related elaterid groups. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed across various regions, with substantial observational records indicating ecological diversity.
Horistonotus
Horistonotus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Candèze in 1860. The genus contains species distributed in the Americas, with at least one described species, Horistonotus angustifrons (Casari, 2011). As a member of Elateridae, species in this genus possess the characteristic clicking mechanism used for righting themselves when overturned.
Hylocharini
Hylocharini is a tribe of click beetles within the family Eucnemidae, subfamily Melasinae. The group was established by Jacquelin du Val in 1859. Members of this tribe are characterized by features of the adult and larval morphology that distinguish them from other eucnemid tribes. The tribe is relatively small and poorly documented in published literature.
Laneganus
Laneganus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae). As a genus within this family, its members possess the characteristic elongated body form and pronotal structure that enables the distinctive clicking mechanism for righting themselves when overturned. The genus contains multiple described species, though detailed biological information remains limited in available literature.
Lissominae
Lissominae is a subfamily of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising approximately 11 genera. The subfamily is divided into two tribes: Lissomini (including Drapetes and Lissomus) and Protelaterini (including Senodonia). In India, 12 species have been documented across these tribes. The group has been historically treated as a family by some authors but is currently classified as a subfamily within Elateridae.
Megapenthes
Megapenthes is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Kiesenwetter in 1858. The genus comprises at least 30 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. These beetles are characterized by the ability to produce an audible clicking sound through a prosternal process that snaps against a mesosternal groove, a defensive mechanism that can right the beetle when overturned.
Melanactes
Melanactes is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising approximately six described species. These beetles are found in North America. The genus was established by J.L. LeConte in 1853 and is classified within the subfamily Dendrometrinae and tribe Oxynopterini. Species in this genus include Melanactes piceus, Melanactes morio, and Melanactes consors, among others.
Microhypnus
Microhypnus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Kishii in 1976. The genus contains species of small elaterid beetles, with limited published information available. Records in natural history databases indicate very few observations, suggesting either rarity, restricted distribution, or undercollection. The genus belongs to the diverse click beetle family, characterized by the ability to right themselves using a prosternal process that engages with a mesosternal groove.
Migiwa
Migiwa is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) described by Kishii in 1966. The genus is placed within the order Coleoptera and is part of the diverse family of elaterid beetles, which are characterized by their ability to produce a clicking sound and jump by flexing the joint between the pro- and mesothorax. The genus is accepted in current taxonomy but appears to be poorly documented in public databases, with no observations recorded in iNaturalist.
Monocrepidius
Monocrepidius is a large genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising approximately 380 species distributed worldwide. The genus was established by Eschscholtz in 1829, with the name Monocrepidius taking priority over the simultaneously published Conoderus under ICZN First Reviser rules. Highest species diversity occurs in Australian and Neotropical regions. Larvae of some species possess diagnostic morphological features useful for taxonomic identification.
Monocrepidius rudis
Mulsanteus
Mulsanteus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by des Gozis in 1875. The genus contains more than 90 described species. As members of the click beetle family, species in this genus possess the characteristic prosternal process that enables their namesake clicking mechanism for righting themselves when overturned.
Oestodes
Oestodes is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) in the subfamily Oestodinae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1853. The genus is characterized by its distinctive subfamily placement and relatively obscure biology. Oestodinae is a small subfamily containing few genera, and Oestodes represents one of the more poorly known lineages within Elateridae. Species in this genus are rarely encountered and have received limited study.
Orthostethus
Orthostethus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Lacordaire in 1857. The genus contains at least two described species: Orthostethus caviceps (described by Schaeffer, 1916) and Orthostethus infuscatus (originally described by Germar, 1844). Like other elaterids, members of this genus possess the characteristic clicking mechanism formed by the prosternal process and mesosternal groove, which allows them to right themselves when flipped onto their backs.
Oxygonus
Oxygonus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae). Records indicate it belongs to the order Coleoptera and is documented in citizen science platforms with limited observational data. The genus name Oxygonus has also been used in taxonomic literature for a subspecies of ground beetle (Brachygnathus oxygonus oxygonus), but this represents a separate taxonomic entity.
Oxynopterinae
Oxynopterinae is a subfamily of click beetles (Elateridae) containing Oriental genera that are rarely collected. Members are characterized by large body size and distinctive morphological features including serrate antennae. The subfamily includes genera such as Sternocampsus, Campsosternus, Oxynopterus, and Sinuaria. Species within this group are associated with mountainous forest habitats in Southeast Asia and southern China.
Paracardiophorus
Paracardiophorus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Schwarz in 1895. The genus has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, Japan, Australia, and North America. At least one species, P. carduelis, has been described. The genus is part of the diverse Elateridae family, characterized by the ability of adults to perform a clicking/jumping mechanism to right themselves when overturned.
Paradonus
Paradonus is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae, established by Stibick in 1971. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed in North America. These beetles possess the characteristic clicking mechanism of Elateridae, though specific ecological and behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Perothops cervinus
Perothops cervinus is a species of click beetle in the family Perothopidae, a small family within the superfamily Elateroidea. The genus Perothops contains species that are often associated with decaying wood and have been observed in association with hardwood trees. Perothopidae is distinguished from other elateroid families by various morphological features including characteristics of the prosternal process and antennae. The family is considered relatively obscure and poorly studied compared to the related Elateridae.
Pherhimius
Pherhimius is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Fleutiaux in 1942. The genus is part of the diverse elaterid fauna and is recognized as valid in current taxonomic databases. As a genus-level taxon, it contains multiple species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The genus is documented in GBIF, NCBI, and iNaturalist with over 500 observations, indicating moderate field recognition.
Physorhinini
Physorhinini is a tribe of click beetles (Elateridae) established by Candèze in 1859. Members of this tribe are part of the subfamily Elaterinae and are characterized by morphological features of the pronotum and prosternal processes. The tribe includes multiple genera distributed across various regions, with approximately 958 observations documented on iNaturalist. As a higher-level taxon, specific diagnostic traits vary among constituent genera.
Pityobiinae
Pityobiinae is a subfamily of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Hyslop in 1917. The subfamily contains two valid genera: Pityobius (Leconte, 1854) and Tibionema (Solier, 1851), with at least two described species. It is one of ten subfamilies treated in recent nomenclatural catalogues of Elateridae genus-group names. The classification follows Costa et al. (2010) with subsequent modifications by Kundrata et al. (2016).
Pityobius
Pityobius is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) in the subfamily Pityobiinae. Members of this genus are associated with woody habitats, particularly dead or decaying wood. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853 and is native to North America.