Next time you hear a "click," watch out for a flying beetle. The click beetle is a machine-like marvel that uses a complex combination of muscles and flexible body parts to launch itself into the air and escape from danger. Click beetles can hurl themselves up to a foot into the air; if a 6-foot human could do the trick, he'd jump to a height of 180 feet! As larvae, click beetles are dangerous to crops-the grubs plow through fields and devour plant roots.
Glow in the Dark: Some species of click beetle have organs on their sides that can glow with colors from yellow to green and red. The insects light these organs up to attract mates during breeding season.
Play Dead: When a click beetle is approached by a potential predator, the insect does the same thing every time-it rolls onto its back and lies still. The beetle even curls up its legs so the enemy will think it's dead.
Flip Out![]
This beetle flops on its back and plays dead to fool its enemies.
Playing dead may deter some attackers, but the click beetle has a clever way to escape from persistent predators. When on its back, the beetle arches to two segments of its body to create tension on a muscle in its neck, like a rubber band being stretched. As the beetle stretches, a peg on one segment grinds against a ridge on the other. When the beetle stretches far enough, the peg slides over the ridge and snaps into a groove with a loud "click." This releases the tension on the muscle and the force sends the beetle high into the air.
A New Look: Some species have speckled markings on their backs that help them blend in with the soil and plants on which they live. One species even has big dark spots near its head that look like large eyes, which can spook predators.
Down to the Wire: Click beetle larvae (called wireworms) are well known-and hated-by farmers. These grubs live underground, and feed on the roots of plants. A mass of click beetle larvae can ruin an entire crop.
Slick Click[]
- While foraging for food, a click beetle spots a coati (a cousin of the raccoon). The coati spots the beetle, and the insect flips onto its back to play dead.
- The coati isn't fooled by this ploy, and moves in closer. Alarmed, the click beetle arches its back. With a loud click, the beetle flies into the air.
- The beetle twists its body in the air, and lands on its feet a few feet away. The coati loses sight of the beetle, which can now scurry under a log to hide.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The knowledge card says Click Beetles. The trading card says Click Beetle.