Elateridae
Guides
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 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 rudis
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
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Perissarthron
Perissarthron is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Hyslop in 1918. The genus is currently marked as doubtful in taxonomic databases, indicating uncertainty about its validity or distinctiveness from related genera. Very few observations exist, with only 7 records documented on iNaturalist. The taxonomic status and defining characteristics of this genus remain poorly resolved.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.