Click Beetles (Family Elateridae) are a common nighttime visitor to Utah porches. They are best known for the "click" sound they make and their unique ability to launch themselves into the air.
The ShapeThey have elongated, parallel-sided bodies with rounded ends. Most Utah species are a dull brown or black.
The "Hinge"They have a flexible joint between their head and thorax that allows them to "snap" their body.
The WirewormThe larval stage of a click beetle is a "wireworm." These are hard-bodied, copper-colored larvae that live in the soil and can damage the roots of Utah lawns and potatoes.
The Escape MechanismIf a click beetle is flipped on its back, it doesn't struggle with its legs. Instead, it arches its body, builds up tension, and "snaps" its hinge. This creates a loud CLICK and launches the beetle several inches into the air so it can land on its feet.
Attraction to LightLike many beetles, they are nocturnal and are highly attracted to bright porch lights and glowing window screens.
The "Play Dead" DefenseBefore they click, they will often tuck in their legs and stay perfectly still, hoping a predator loses interest.
I heard a loud 'pop' on my screen—is that a click beetle?Yes! That is the sound of the beetle’s hinge snapping against the mesh of your screen as it tries to right itself.
Are they eating my house?No. Adult click beetles are harmless to structures. They primarily eat nectar or plant juices. Only the "wireworm" stage in the soil is considered a garden pest.
