The RSPB: A to Z of a Wildlife Garden: Click beetle A to Z of a Wildlife Garden Insect Athous haemorrhoidalis This elongated beetle has a dark brown thorax and a brown, ridged back. On close inspection its antennae appear toothed. Agriotes lineatus Adults are bullet-shaped and their wing cases (elytra) appear lined. They are black or brown all over. When threatened, attacked or overturned, these beetles can flick themselves into the air emitting an audible click – hence their name. A click beetle does this by flexing the joint between its thorax and abdomen; the tension increases until the peg slips, catapulting the insect into the air. The beetle may not always land on its feet, so will perform this feat several times until it does. Occasionally click beetles jump as high as 30 cm. Click beetle larvae are the notorious wireworms despised by gardeners. They are about 25 mm long with shiny, yellow-orange bodies. They spend up to four years underground munching through plant roots and stem bases until pupating and emerging as adult click beetles. They can ruin potato and root crops. What does it eat?

Adults eat pollen, nectar, grasses and flowers. Larvae eat roots. When will I see it? Adults generally between May and July. You may see wireworms when digging the garden. Where will I see it? In flower border/herb garden, meadow area, hedge and the lawn. Also in parks and grassland. Vital statistics click beetles - Alaus spp. Introduction (Back to Top) Because of their striking appearance and their large size, beetles of the genus Alaus are commonly brought to the attention of nursery inspectors and Cooperative Extension Service agents. Three species in this genus, Alaus myops (Fabricius), Alaus oculatus (Linnaeus), and Alaus patricius (Candeze) are found in Florida. Figure 1. Adults of the click beetles Alaus myops (Fabr.), left, and Alaus oculatus (Linn.), right. Photographs by M.C. Thomas, Division of Plant Industry.

Synonymy (Back to Top) Leng and Mutchler (1914) listed Alaus patricius under the generic name Calais but Blackwelder (1944) listed that name as a subgenus of Alaus. The latter placed Alaus luscus Olivier as a synonym of patricius, but Alaus luscus Fabricius is a synonym of oculatus. Distribution (Back to Top) Alaus oculatus is widespread in the eastern United States, being recorded by Leng (1920: 167) from "Indiana, Atlanta States -- Texas, Florida." Blatchley (1910: 717) listed it from throughout Indiana; Fattig (1951: 5) listed 19 localities scattered over Georgia; and Dietrich (1945: 9) listed it as being found throughout the state of New York. The Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) contains records from the following Florida counties: Alachua, Columbia, Dade, Duval, Gulf, Hardee, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach,Seminole, and St. Lucie.

Becker (in literature) indicated that Alaus oculatus also occurs in southern Ontario and Quebec. Alaus myops is more common in the southeastern United States although it is occasionally found in the northern states; recorded by Leng (1920: 167) reported from "Indiana, Middle and Southern States, Florida." Blatchley (1910: 719) listed one record for Indiana and stated "rare north of the Ohio River". Fattig (1951: 5) listed 20 localities scattered over Georgia. Dietrich (1945: 10) listed nine localities in New York. The FSCA contains records from the following Florida counties: Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Dade, Hardee, Highlands, Liberty, Monroe, Orange, Polk, and Seminole. Alaus myops also is known from the Montreal area to southern Manitoba. Alaus patricius (Candeze) is present in the Florida Keys. Schaeffer (1909: 149) listed this species from Cuba and recorded the first United States specimen from Chokoloskee, Florida.

Kimball (1965) discussed many records of foreign Lepidoptera from Chokoloskee and concluded that some were sold by a commercial collector and validity of the labels was doubtful. It is likely that Schaeffer's specimen was mislabeled also, but the three collected specimens served to confirm its presence in Florida, at least on Key Largo.Leng and Mutchler (1914: 426) listed Alaus patricius (under the generic name Calais) from Cuba only. Blackwelder (1944: 282) listed Alaus patricius from "Cuba, I. de Pinos, U.S.A." Description (Back to Top) Adults: The adults reach a length of 24 to 45 mm. The photographs below illustrate why these beetles are so striking. The large "false eyes" on the pronotum of adults are characteristic of this genus. Presumably these spots have some selective value in frightening a would-be predator. The true eyes are much smaller and are located on the head anterior to the "false eyes." Both Florida species have a mottled pattern on the dorsal surface created by minute scales.

These patterns are variable but similar to those shown in the photographs and are effective in concealment. Figure 2. The adult click beetle Alaus oculatus (Linn.) on oak bark. Photograph by E.M. Collins, Jr, Division of Plant Industry. Larvae: The larvae are large (up to 2 inches), heavily sclerotized, smooth, stout, and yellowish to dark brown. That of Alaus oculatus is described technically by Jewett (1946: 16, Fig. 53-55) and Peterson (1951: 176, Fig. C46, K, L, M). The head is nearly black and the last four abdominal segments are dark brown. The last dorsal abdominal segment (9th) is armed with many conical tubercles and terminates in a pair of forked teeth (urogamphi). The 10th segment has two anal hooks and 10 to 12 spines and setae anterior to the anus. The spiracles are biforous, located on the ventral side of the mesothorax and on the dorso-lateral part of the first through eighth abdominal segments.

I have not found a description or illustration of the larva of Alaus myops. Figure 3. Mature larva of the click beetle Alaus oculatus (Linn.). Photograph by E.M. Collins, Jr, Division of Plant Industry. Figure 4. Dorsal view of the last (9th) abdominal segment of the mature larva of the click beetle Alaus oculatus (Linn.). Photograph by E.M. Collins, Division of Plant Industry. Alaus patricius is variable in length (30 to 35 mm) and color but is similar to the other two Florida species. The body color is dark brown to black with a pattern of whitish scales on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The scales are slightly rubbed on all specimens seen, so that the exact pattern is not visible. There is a brownish area (irregular band) just behind the middle of each elytron. There is a surprising similarity of the dorsal color pattern to that seen in several Oriental species. Eye spots of the pronotum are nearly absent in the female, but not noticeable (not prominent) in the male. Figure 5.

Adult Alaus patricius (Candeze) click beetles. Male on left, female on right. Photographs by Steve Wadlington, DPI. Each elytron terminates in two spines in both sexes. Figure 6. Enlarged elytral apices of female Alaus patricius. Drawing by Division of Plant Industry. Male antennae are longer than the pronotum and more pectinate. Female antennae are about two-thirds the pronotal length and less pectinate. Figure 7. Antennae of adult male (top) and female (bottom) Alaus patricius. Drawing by Division of Plant Industry. I have been unable to find any reference to the larva and presume that it is undescribed. However, it should be similar in general appearance to the images of Alaus oculatus. Biology (Back to Top) The ferocious looking larva and the large beetle might be expected to be a serious pest. However, the adults probably feed little and the larvae are effective predators on many wood-boring beetle larvae.

Craighead (1950: 185) stated that larvae of Alaus oculatus were voracious on wood borers, and that during their development caged specimens each devoured more than 200 cerambycid larvae. They are most often encountered in rotting stumps of oak, cherry, and apple, whereas myops is usually found in pine stumps and logs. Rohwer (1920: 443) listed Xorides catomus Davis (Ichneumonidae) as a parasite of the larvae. Although I have found no specific reference to the biology of Alaus patricius, it is probably predaceous as a larva. The adults taken in Florida were all found on 25-V-74 at blacklight (ultraviolet). Alaus patricius is easily distinguished from the other Florida species by the very small "eyespots," the color pattern and the doubly spined elytral apices. 1. Elytral apices terminating in two spines; pronotal "eyespots" reduced; Florida Keys and Cuba . . . . . patricius Candeze 1'.

Elytral apices rounded, not doubly spinose, although sometimes pointed at the suture; pronotal "eyespots" large and obvious (one-fifth to one-third pronotal length); throughout the state . . . . . 2 2. Pronotal "eyespots" less than one-fourth pronotal length; base color brownish, the scales mostly grey and covering more than half the surface; associated with pines . . . . . myops (Fabricius) 2'. Pronotal "eyespots" about one-third pronotal length; base color black, the scales mostly white and covering less than half the surface; associated with hardwoods . . . . . oculatus (Linnaeus) Acknowledgments (Back to Top) I thank the following for assistance during preparation of the material on Alaus patricius: Hermann Flaschka, Chemistry Department, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, who collected the specimens; E.C. Becker, Biosystematics Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada, who confirmed the identification; N.M.

Downie, Psychology Department, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, who first called the specimens to my attention; and Steve Wadlington, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, Division of Plant Industry, who took the photographs. Click beetle Common Name: Click beetle; wireworm Scientific Name: Varies Order: Coleoptera Description: Click beetles are elongated, parallel-sided and usually bear backward projections on the side corners of the shield behind the head (pronotum). They are somewhat flattened and range in size and color by species. Smaller species are about 1/4 inches long. Most species are brown to black in color, although some have reddish and yellowish colors and patterns. The eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus (Linnaeus), reaches 1-ï¿½ inches in length and is beautifully marked with prominent oval eye spots on the pronotum and mottled gray wing covers. When placed on their backs, these beetles characteristically "click", snapping their thoracic segments ( prothorax and mesothorax) to cause their bodies to flip in the air to right themselves.

Larvae, called "wireworms," are usually hard-bodied, brownish, ï¿½ to 2-ï¿½ inch long and cylindrical, with three pairs of tiny true legs behind the head and a flattened, and an ornamented shield-like segment on the tail end of the body. The false click beetles (Eucnemidae) are similar to click beetles, and some species can even "click." They are less common and usually occur in wood just beginning to decay. The Texas beetle, Brachypsectrida fulva LeConte (Coleoptera: Brachypsectridae) somewhat resembles a 3/16-inch long click beetle without the clicking mechanism. There is only one species in this family. Life Cycle: Biology varies by species. In general, adults and larvae overwinter in the ground, becoming active in the spring. Adult females dig burrows and lay eggs around the base of host plants. Eggs hatch within a few weeks and larvae develop through several molts over a period of time from several months to over 4 years. They pupate in the cells within the soil in late summer or fall, and emerge as adults a few weeks thereafter.

Generations can greatly overlap. For additional information, contact your local Texas AgriLife Extension agent or search for other state Extension offices. Literature: Arnett 1985; Borror et al. 1989; Swan & Papp 1972; Metcalf et al. 1962. From the book: Beneficial insects in the landscape: #52 Eyed Elater (Alaus oculatus) Yes (mounted specimen for viewing available in insect collection at County Extension Office) If you could flip yourself off your back and hurl four times your body length into the air, would you? If you were a Eyed Elater, of course you would! And you would do it with a very loud "click", because you would want to get away from whatever turned you on your back. Most likely, that culprit would be one of your personal predators and you would want to avoid being its lunch. As fascinating as this acrobatic trick may be, why would you, as an the adult form of Alaus oculatus, a species of click beetle, be of interest to a gardener?

Actually, the adult click beetle isn't of much significance to gardeners, but its larval form, better known as a wireworm, is. "Wireworm" is the name given to most larvae of the very large click beetle family. Many of these larvae are notorious pests that consume the roots of cereal crops, causing serious damage. Unlike its many cousins, the Eyed Elater larva is ferocious meat-eater that dines on many other noxious larvae, including those of wood-boring beetles, flies, and other undesirables. Found under logs and other dark, damp places, the Alaus oculatus larva looks like a stocky, yellowish-brown, segmented worm. It has a flat, dark brown rectangular head that ends in 2 powerful jaws. The jaws, which resemble small crab legs, are used to disable and dismember prey. An individual is about 2 inches long. It looks rather dangerous at the posterior end, too. The 10th segment has 2 anal hooks, 10-12 spines, and setae (hairs) in front of the anus.

The Eyed Elater spends most of its life in the larval form, perhaps as long as 2-5 years. All the longer to do its good deeds! The grown beetle is actually rather attractive. It is black, with 2 large false eyes on the back of its 1ï¿½ inch body. There is a spine on its poststernum that can be snapped into a corresponding notch on the mesosternum. Then, the beetle flexes its back to "pop" itself as much as 6 inches into the air. It is the release of the spine from the notch that provides the sound effect. Adults probably feed on nectar, if they feed at all. The only hazard grown critters might present to us is to startle us. They are attracted to light and, in hot weather, may enter a house through an opened window or door at night. You want to remember the beneficial effect of its offspring before stepping on one. In my mind, it would be more ecologically sound to gently pick the little fellow up and take it back outside, where you could, in the interest of "scientific observation", lay it on its back and watch it hurtle itself through the air.

Only once, though; none of us wants to be accused of Eyed Elater abuse! Beneficials in the Garden & Landscape is an Earth-KindTM program coordinated through Extension Horticulture at Texas A&M University. Earth-Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment. This web site is maintained by Master Gardener Laura Bellmore, under the direction of William M. Johnson, Ph.D., County Extension Agent-Horticulture & Master Gardener Program Coordinator. All digital photographs are the property of the Galveston County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (GCMGA) 2002-2015 GCMGA - All Rights Reserved. OurVeggieGarden > Garden Care > Insects > Wireworm (Click Beetle) Wireworm (Click Beetle) These inch long, hard segmented-shell yellow, gray or reddish-brown worms are the larvae of beetles, normally voracious feeders of vegetable crops, eating the interior tissue of seeds and roots. They resemble earthworms except for their hard segmented body, and feed entirely underground during their life cycle. Because we dont see them, wireworms are not usually suspected of the damage they do.

They make winding tunnels through carrots, potatoes and beets, disfiguring them so badly that they are unfit to eat. Young plants can be completely destroyed by the worms and older ones can become stunted or be susceptible to diseases. There are about 350 species of wireworms in the USA and Canada. Adult Adult wireworms are called click beetles or skip jacks, are slightly over one half inch long, dark in color  usually brown - with strips on their sides. They get their name when the beetles attempt to right themselves after having fallen over on their backs. They fling themselves into the air, most often landing on their hard backs, causing a clicking sound, thus the name. It is believed that many adult click beetles do not feed, and most cannot fly well or long. Eggs Parent click beetles deposit small white eggs, just below the surface in early spring, preferring damp grassy or weedy areas. The larvae emerge about a week later, moving very little during their lifetimes.

Larvae The larvae of the click beetle is called a wireworm and can be yellow to dark reddish-brown, sometimes orange in color, an inch or so long with hard segmented bodies and three sets of legs attached just behind the head. The larvae emerge from eggs that are laid just below the soil surface and remain active feeders from between two to six years, depending upon which species of click beetle laid the eggs. Some larvae reach full growth in a year, while others may not mature for as long as six years. For this reason you will find wireworms of all sizes and ages existing in your garden at the same time. It appears that most of the damage is done in the second and later years of their lives. Pupa After the larvae have finished their life cycle (from two to six years in the larvae state), they form a pupa in the autum, overwinter until the next spring, and emerge as click beetle adults. The pupa appear to resemble embryonic beetles. Vegetables That Wireworms Like To Eat Bean seedlings EENY085/IN242: Click Beetles, Alausspp.

(Insecta: Coleoptera: Elateridae) Click Beetles, Alausspp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elateridae) 1 R. E. Woodruff 2 Introduction Because of their striking appearance and their large size, beetles of the genus Alaus are commonly brought to the attention of nursery inspectors and Cooperative Extension Service agents. Three species in this genus, A. myops (Fabricius), A. oculatus (Linnaeus), and A. patricius (Candeze) are found in Florida. Synonymy Leng and Mutchler (1914) listed A. patricius under the generic name Calais but Blackwelder (1944) listed that name as a subgenus of Alaus. The latter placed A. luscus Olivier as a synonym of patricius, but A. luscus Fabricius is a synonym of oculatus. Distribution A.

oculatus is widespread in the eastern United States, being recorded by Leng (1920: 167) from "Indiana, Atlanta States -- Texas, Florida." Blatchley (1910: 717) listed it from throughout Indiana; Fattig (1951: 5) listed 19 localities scattered over Georgia; and Dietrich (1945: 9) listed it as being found throughout the state of New York. The Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) contains records from the following Florida counties: Alachua, Columbia, Dade, Duval, Gulf, Hardee, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach,Seminole, and St. Lucie. Becker (in literature) indicated that A. oculatus also occurs in southern Ontario and Quebec. A.

myops is more common in the southeastern United States although it is occasionally found in the northern states; recorded by Leng (1920: 167) reported from "Indiana, Middle and Southern States, Florida." Blatchley (1910: 719) listed one record for Indiana and stated "rare north of the Ohio River". Fattig (1951: 5) listed 20 localities scattered over Georgia. Dietrich(1945: 10) listed nine localities in New York. The FSCA contains records from the following Florida counties: Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Dade, Hardee, Highlands, Liberty, Monroe, Orange, Polk, and Seminole. A. myops also is known from the Montreal area to southern Manitoba. A. patricius (Candeze) is present in the Florida Keys. Schaeffer (1909: 149) listed this species from Cuba and recorded the first United States specimen from Chokoloskee, Florida.

Kimball (1965) discussed many records of foreign Lepidoptera from Chokoloskee and concluded that some were sold by a commercial collector and validity of the labels was doubtful. It is likely that Schaeffer's specimen was mislabeled also, but the three collected specimens served to confirm its presence in Florida, at least on Key Largo.Leng and Mutchler (1914: 426) listed A. patricius (under the generic name Calais) from Cuba only. Blackwelder (1944: 282) listed A. patricius from "Cuba, I. de Pinos, U.S.A." Description Adults The adults reach a length of 24 to 45 mm. The photographs below illustrate why these beetles are so striking. The large "false eyes" on the pronotum of adults are characteristic of this genus. Presumably these spots have some selective value in frightening a would-be predator. The true eyes are much smaller and are located on the head anterior to the "false eyes." Both Florida species have a mottled pattern on the dorsal surface created by minute scales.

These patterns are variable but similar to those shown in the photographs and are effective in concealment. Figure 1. Adults of the click beetles Alaus myops (Fabr.), left, and Alaus oculatus (Linn.), right. Credit: M.C. Thomas, Division of Plant Industry [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] The adult click beetle Alaus oculatus (Linn.) on oak bark. Credit: E.M. Collins, Jr, Division of Plant Industry [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Larvae The larvae are large (up to 2 inches), heavily sclerotized, smooth, stout, and yellowish to dark brown. That of A. oculatus is described technically by Jewett (1946: 16, Fig. 53-55) and Peterson (1951: 176, Fig. C46, K, L, M). The head is nearly black and the last four abdominal segments are dark brown. The last dorsal abdominal segment (9th) is armed with many conical tubercles and terminates in a pair of forked teeth (urogamphi).

The 10th segment has two anal hooks and 10 to 12 spines and setae anterior to the anus. The spiracles are biforous, located on the ventral side of the mesothorax and on the dorso-lateral part of the first through eighth abdominal segments. I have not found a description or illustration of the larva of A. myops. Figure 3. Mature larva of the click beetle Alaus oculatus (Linn.). Credit: E.M. Collins, Division of Plant Industry [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Figure 4. Dorsal view of the last (9th) abdominal segment of the mature larva of the click beetle Alaus oculatus (Linn.). Credit: E.M. Collins, Division of Plant Industry [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] A. patricius is variable in length (30 to 35 mm) and color but is similar to the other two Florida species. The body color is dark brown to black with a pattern of whitish scales on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The scales are slightly rubbed on all specimens seen, so that the exact pattern is not visible.

There is a brownish area (irregular band) just behind the middle of each elytron. There is a surprising similarity of the dorsal color pattern to that seen in several Oriental species. Eye spots of the pronotum are nearly absent in the female, but not noticeable (not prominent) in the male. Figure 5. Adult Alaus patricius (Candeze) click beetles. Male on left, female on right. Credit: Steve Wadlington, Division of Plant Industry [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Each elytron terminates in two spines in both sexes. Figure 6. Enlarged elytral apices of female A. patricius. [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] Male antennae are longer than the pronotum and more pectinate. Female antennae are about two-thirds the pronotal length and less pectinate. Figure 7. Antennae of adult male (top) and female (bottom) A. patricius. [Click thumbnail to enlarge.] I have been unable to find any reference to the larva and presume that it is undescribed. However, it should be similar in general appearance to the images of A.

oculatus Biology The ferocious looking larva and the large beetle might be expected to be a serious pest. However, the adults probably feed little and the larvae are effective predators on many wood-boring beetle larvae. Craighead (1950: 185) stated that larvae of oculatus were voracious on wood borers, and that during their development caged specimens each devoured more than 200 cerambycid larvae. They are most often encountered in rotting stumps of oak, cherry, and apple, whereas myops is usually found in pine stumps and logs. Rohwer (1920: 443) listed Xorides catomus Davis (Ichneumonidae) as a parasite of the larvae. Although I have found no specific reference to the biology of A patricius, it is probably predaceous as a larva. The adults taken in Florida were all found on 25-V-74 at blacklight (ultraviolet). Key to Florida Species of Alaus A.

patricius is easily distinguished from the other Florida species by the very small "eyespots," the color pattern and the doubly spined elytral apices. 1. "Eye spots" less than one-fourth the length of pronotum; base color or dorsum brownish, the scales mostly grey and covering more than half the surface; associated with pines. . . . . myops (Fabr.) 1'. "Eye spots" about one-third the length of the pronotum; base color or dorsum black, the scales mostly white and covering less than half the surface; associated with hardwoods. . . . . oculatus (Linn.) 2. Pronotal "eyespots" less than one-fourth pronotal length; base color brownish, the scales mostly grey and covering more than half the surface; associated with pines . . . . . myops (Fabricius) 2'. Pronotal "eyespots" about one-third pronotal length; base color black, the scales mostly white and covering less than half the surface; associated with hardwoods . . . . .

oculatus (Linnaeus) Acknowledgments I thank the following for assistance during preparation of the material on A. patricius: Hermann Flaschka, Chemistry Department, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, who collected the specimens; E.C. Becker, Biosystematics Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada, who confirmed the identification; N.M. Downie, Psychology Department, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, who first called the specimens to my attention; and Steve Wadlington, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, Division of Plant Industry, who took the photographs. Selected References Blackwelder RF. 1944. Checklist of the coleopterous insects of Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America. United States National Museum Bulletin 185: 189-341. Blatchley, W.S. 1910. Coleoptera or Beetles Known to Occur in Indiana. Nature Publishing Company, Indianapolis, IN 1385 p. Craighead, F.C. 1950. Insect Enemies of Eastern Forests. USDA Miscellaneous Publication 657: 1- 679.

Dietrich, Henry. 1945. The Elateridae of New York State. Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Memorandum 269: 1-79. Fattig, P.W. 1951. The Elateridae or click beetles of Georgia. Emory University Museum Bulletin 10: 1-25. Jewett, H.H. 1946. Identification of some larval Elateridae found in Kentucky. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 489: 1-40. Kimball CP. 1965. The Lepidoptera of Florida; an annotated checklist. Arthropods of Florida and neighboring land areas 1: i-v, 1-363; Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville. Knull, J.N. 1932. Notes on Coleoptera. - No. 3. Entomological News 43: 42-45. Leng, C.W. 1920. Catalogue of the Coleoptera of America, North of Mexico. John D.

Sherman, Jr., Mount Vernon, N.Y. 470 p. Leng CW, Mutchler AJ. 1914. A preliminary list of the Coleoptera of the West Indies as recorded to January 1, 1914. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 33: 391-493. Pechuman, L.L. 1937. An annotated list of insects found in the bark and wood of Ulmus americana L. in New York State. Bulletin of Brooklyn Entomological Society 32: 8-21. Peterson, Alvah. 1951. Larvae of Insects; Part II -- Coleoptera, Diptera, Siphonaptera, Mecoptera, Trichoptera. Edwards Bros., Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich. 416 p. Rohwer, S.A. 1920. The North American ichneumon-flies of the tribes Labenini, Rhyssini, Xoridini, Odontomerini, and Phytodietini. Proceedings of the U.S.

National Museum 57: 405-474. Schaeffer C. 1909. Three Cuban Coleoptera new to the fauna of the United States. Journal of the New York Entomological Society 17: 148-150. Footnotes 1. This document is EENY-085 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circular No. 109 and 170), one of a series of UF/IFAS Extension. Published: June 1999. Revised: July 2004. Review July 2014. This document is also available on Featured Creatures Website at Please visit the EDIS website at . Additional information on these organisms, including many color photographs, is available at the Entomology and Nematology Department Website at . 2. R. E. Woodruff, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. click beetles, skipjacks, wire worms, Elateridae overview - larva - pupa - adult - click mechanism Elateriade Family overview Beetles in the Elateridae family are commonly known as click beetles or skip jacks, and the larvae (right and below) are know as wire worms. There are 9 000 species world wide, and 73 species in Britain. They range in length from 0.2 cm - 7.0 cm.

Click beetle larvae The larvae (above and below) are known as wire worms, they live on plant roots and cause a large amount of damage. In the UK DEFRA (2010) have recorded click beetle populations as high as 2.5 x 106per hectare, and 3.8 x 106 per hectare on permanent pasture. It can take a larva five years of feeding before it is ready to pupate. The larva is elongate and cylindrical, and is usually orange or yellow in colour. Left and right is the typical Elateridae pupa. The click beetle click When click beetles are alarmed they will drop to the ground and play dead. Often they land on their backs, and once they feel danger has passed with get back up on their feet with a flick of their body. It is this flick accompanied by a clicking sound that gives them their common name. Some beetles can flick themselves to quite a height, and this has become their method of escaping danger. Click beetle adults The adult beetles have the typical elongated body of the Elateridae, with the pointed rear end and the head almost invisible. They feed on pollen, nectar, flowers or leaves.

On the right is Athous haemorrhoidalis, the Red-brown skipjack. The adult is 9 - 16 mm long, and has a brownish-black bulging thorax, and reddish-brown elytra (wing cases). It is most commonly seen in the summer months, especially May - July on flowers in or near hedgerows, field margins, woods, bracken and meadows throughout Europe, in England and Wales, it is less common in Scotland, and found in just a few places in Ireland. The larvae damage plant roots. (C) 1997 - 2016 Family Elateridae - Click Beetles - BugGuide.Net Family Elateridae - Click Beetles Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf and Snout Beetles) No Taxon (Series Elateriformia) Superfamily Elateroidea (Click, Firefly and Soldier Beetles) Family Elateridae (Click Beetles) see Elater Numbers ~970 described valid spp. in our area + an estimated 75-100 undescribed( 1 ); ~10,000 spp.

in 400 genera worldwide( 2 )( 3 ) arranged into 17 subfamilies( 4 ) Overview of our faunaTaxa not yet in the guide are marked (*); classification adapted from( 5 ) Family ELATERIDAE Notes: Ampedus: species with bicarinate pronotal hind angles are sometimes treated in Ectamenogonus Buysson 1893 Ctenicera: in NA, C.

kendalli (Kirby) is the only species attributable to this genus; all other species cataloged in this genus are undergoing taxonomic review and will eventually get proper generic placement, with several new genera to be erected yet to accommodate some species (e.g., Ctenicera horni ) Size 1-60 mm( 1 ) Identification Peculiar in being able to "click" and jump: if placed on their backs, click beetles use the flexible union of the prothorax and mesothorax (the prosternal spine fits into a groove on the mesosternum) to snap and jump usually falling right side up (in other beetles, the union of prothorax and mesothorax allows little or no movement) A key to NA genera provided in( 6 )( 1 ) Helpful image galleries include ( 7 )( 8 )( 9 )( 10 ) Range worldwide and throughout NA( 1 ) Habitat Found in all but aquatic and the most severe arctic and alpine habitats( 1 ): adults on flowers/vegetation or under bark; larvae in rotten logs or soil Food Adults usually eat plants.

Larvae eat newly planted seeds, roots, etc., some eat other insects. Works Cited

Question: What name is usually given to the larva of a click beetle ?
Answer: WIREWORM