Click Beetles

Have you ever seen an insect lying on its back, struggling to get back on its feet? Over 9,000 species of beetles don’t have this problem. Click beetles belong to the family Elateridae and share a unique and efficient way of reorienting themselves when they are turned over.

Click beetles are named for the audible clicking sound made during the self-righting action. Their click mechanism is also useful as a defense from predators. Not only is the action of somersaulting into the air up to 30 cm startling, but click beetles can also use their click mechanism to break free from a spider’s hold and even a bird’s mouth.

Watch the click beetles in action!

 A YouTube video of slow motion click beetle uploaded by unnokazuo in Japan. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/OxJ2vEMKZsA

A YouTube video uploaded by Atusi OKAMOTO in Japan.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQCWBpSIRA