BioImages: The Virtual Field-Guide (UK)

ELATERIDAE (click beetles)

Notes (MWS)

The click beetles are a family of small to medium sized beetles of similar shape. Most species are brown to black, but some have red or orange elytra (especially the genus "Ampedus" which contains several rare species). A few have metallic reflections. Click beetles are so-called because, when disturbed, they typically fling themselves into the air by means of a clicking mechanism involving a peg on the underside of the first thoracic segment and a socket on the second.

The larvae (wireworms) live in soil or rotting wood. Several species are associated with veteran trees and restricted to sites with a history of ecological continuity.

Lab. techniques

The degree of serration or pectination of the antenna is important for identification. This is not a problem with card-mounted beetles, but pinned specimens must be held at such an angle that the segments are flat.

Records (and photo sets)

Taxon	Summary	Date	Vice-county	Country
Elateridae?	Imago	2 July 2005	Brecon	Wales	5
Elateridae?	Imago	2 July 2000	Berks	England	2	7

Subtaxa

Rank	Taxon
Subfamily	AGRYPNINAE Candèze, 1857 (a subfamily of click beetles)	2
Species	Agrypnus murinus (L., 1758) (a click beetle)			3
Species	Lacon querceus (Herbst, 1784) (a click beetle)					1
Subfamily	CARDIOPHORINAE Candèze, 1859 (a subfamily of click beetles)	2
Genus	Cardiophorus Eschscholtz, 1829 (a genus of click beetles)	1				1
Species	Dicronychus equisetoides Lohse 1976 (a click beetle)					1
Subfamily	DENTICOLLINAE Stein & Weise, 1877 (a subfamily of click beetles)	12
Tribe	Ctenicerini Fleutiaux, 1936 (a tribe of click beetles)	7	21	5	1	6
Tribe	Denticollini Stein & Weise, 1877 (a tribe of click beetles)	5	29	10		5
Subfamily	ELATERINAE Leach, 1815 (a subfamily of click beetles)	22
Tribe	Agriotini Champion, 1894 (a tribe of click beetles)	5	15	31		3
Tribe	Ampedini Fleutiaux, 1947 (a tribe of click beetles)	14	13	32	1	28
Tribe	Elaterini Leach, 1815 (a tribe of click beetles)	1				2
Tribe	Megapenthini Gurjeva, 1973 (a tribe of click beetles)	2				5
Subfamily	MELANOTINAE Candèze, 1859 (a subfamily of click beetles)	2
Genus	Melanotus (Zool.) Eschscholtz, 1829 (a genus of click beetles)	2	8	10		2

Suggested Literature

Identification Works

Elateridae: Click Beetle of the Palearctic Region: http://www.elateridae.com/?lg=uk&idp=&kat=	Web Site/Page
van Emden, F.I., 1945 (Larvae)	Larvae of British Beetles V: Elateridae

ELATERIDAE may also be covered by literature listed under:

BIOTA
(living things)

Eukaryota
(eukaryotes)

ANIMALIA
(animals)

ARTHROPODA
(arthropods)

HEXAPODA
(hexapods)

INSECTA
(insects)

COLEOPTERA
(beetles)