Elateridae
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walwyn Mon, 05/04/2009 - 15:01


Commonly called click beetles due to the unusual click mechanism they possess. A spine on the prosternum can be snapped into a corresponding notch on the mesosternum, producing a violent "click" which can bounce the beetle into the air. Clicking is mainly used to avoid predation, although it is also useful when the beetle is on its back and needs to right itself.
The larvae are known as wireworms and can be a pest of cultivated crops.
Some species are specialists of decay wood in ancient woodland, others frequent wetland or river habits , and others are common in grassland.