COLEOPTERA: Elateridae

Members of the family Elateridae are called click beetles. There are over 9,000 species known worldwide; over 900 are found in North America. Members of this family possess a notch on their mesosternum which a spine on their prosternum fits into. When released, the beetle experiences a violent click (which helps them avoid predators or turn themselves over). Larvae are often called wireworms and feed on decaying materials.

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Limonius griseus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805). Adults of this species of click beetle are often found in clearings and meadows in central Illinois. Adults are also attracted to lights at night. This specimen was collected by Mark DuBois in Peoria Co., Illinois.

Melanactes piceus (DeGeer, 1774). The common name for this species is black patent leather click beetle. Adults are attracted to light at night. This specimen was collected by Mark DuBois in Peoria Co., Illinois.