Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing click beetles. These are some of my favorite arthropods. Also known as skip-jacks, spring-beetles, and clickers, all of these click beetle common names are in reference to the adult's behavior of jumping with a clicking sound. The click beetle family name comes from a Greek word meaning "hurler" which is also likely in reference to them hurling themselves away from danger with their fancy clicks. There are over 10,000 classified click beetle species found worldwide, however they aren't present in aquatic areas, polar regions, and high mountains.

While adult click beetles have their jumping, their babies don't perform this feat. Click beetle larvae are known as wireworms and some species are considered pests such as those that eat potato crops as well as other human grown food. These juveniles can be almost impossible to identify as larvae and must be raised to adults before the species can be ascertained. Wireworms tend to live hidden lives underground, in tree bark, and in rotting logs.

Click beetle adults are generally nocturnal and spend their days hiding in similar places, but they venture out at night. In fact, some species are highly attracted to light and can often be seen in droves much like moths! Of course, with so many living species, there is plenty of opportunity for diversity. Some click beetle adults are diurnal and live in flowers, foliage, tree stumps, grass stems, and more. These are the places most adults eat.

Click beetle adults meals include overripe fruit, nectar, pollen, fungi, and more. Wireworms eat more animal material such as other larvae as well as vegetable matter. Typically, when they eat vegetable matter this is in the form of new growth and can wreak havoc on young crops, so farmers try to rid the soil of them through various measures.

Click beetles undergo complete metamorphosis with an egg stage laid on host plants so larvae have easy access to food. The larvae eat and grow until they’re ready to pupate, and then the adult emerges from the pupa. The whole process takes about two years on average. Click beetle larvae are cylindrical and yellow to brown in color, and the adults are elongate and often neutrally colored, though tropical species can appear iridescent. There are also species that glow and their light is described as brighter than that of fireflies! Click beetle adults are typically less than an inch (2.5 cm) long but can be more than double this in length.

When threatened by larger animals such as lizards, birds, and hungry mammals, these arthropods click to escape. Here's an example: (click) They also use this technique to turn themselves over when stuck on their back. They simply arch their back and CLICK! Some species fall from foliage to avoid predators and others have dazzling eye spots to trick any threatening animals.

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