Have you ever heard a clicking sound while you were quiet at night? You may have seen a small, elongated beetle on a wall, floor, or near a light in your house jump up and then fall back down. The insect that makes this strange sound is what we call the 'click beetle', or in English ``(Click Beetle)``. Many people are a little scared when they see this animal, wondering what kind of animal it is, is it poisonous, or does it spread disease. So today, let's talk about this 'click' beetle in simple terms.
Who is this 'click' beetle?
Simply put, the 'click' beetle is a species of beetle found all over the world. Scientifically, they are classified in the family `(Elateridae)`. The main reason for this name is their amazing ability to make a 'click' sound by pressing two parts of their body together.
Imagine, if this beetle falls upside down, it needs to turn right again. That's when it quickly hits a spike-like part of its chest against an opening in another part of its body. This causes the beetle to jump up with a 'tuck' sound. After trying this several times, it turns right again. Also, if a predator, such as a lizard, comes close, it uses this sound to scare it away.
What does this beetle look like?
There are thousands of species of click beetles, so their appearance can vary from one to another. But there are a few common characteristics:
- Body: It has an elongated, slightly flattened body. The body appears to be divided into two parts.
- Color: Most often brown or black, but some species may have red or yellow spots or stripes.
- Size: Size varies depending on the species. While some beetles are as small as an inch, others can grow to be as large as two and a half (2.5) inches.
The larval stage of these beetles is called a 'wireworm'. These larvae look like worms, but their bodies are a bit stiffer and shinier. They can be brown, white, or cream in color.
| Characteristic | Adult Click Beetle | Wireworm |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Elongated, flat, brown/black body. Makes a 'click' sound. | A worm-like, shiny, yellow/brown/white body. |
| Size | From 0.25 inches to 2.5 inches. | From 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches. |
| Food | They often do not eat. Some eat nectar and leaves. | Plant roots, seeds, decaying matter, and other insect larvae. |
| Habitats | On trees, on the ground. Attracted to light at night. | Lives in the soil. |
Do they pose any health risks to us?
This is the biggest problem for many people. The good news is that click beetles pose almost no health risk to humans.
Simply put, these beetles are harmless to humans. They don't suck blood, they don't have venom, and they don't transmit diseases.
If you pick up one of these beetles and squeeze it hard, it's very rare that it will bite you in self-defense. But that's also very rare. They don't intentionally attack people. So there's no reason to fear retaliation if you see one in your home.
The only problem with them is that their larvae, the wireworms, sometimes damage crops in the garden or field. They sit in the soil and eat things like plant roots and newly planted seeds. So they can sometimes be a nuisance to growers.
What to do if there is a 'click' beetle in the house?
These beetles are most active at night. They are also very attracted to light. If you have a light on near your door or window at night, that's where they come out. If they come inside your house, you have to do a few simple things.
- No need for pesticides: Don't resort to using harsh pesticides just to get rid of a few bugs in your home. It will only cause unnecessary harm to your health.
- Seal entry points: Find out where these bugs are coming into your home. They often come through gaps under doors, holes in window screens, and small holes in walls. Sealing these areas well is the best solution.
- Light management: Reduce unnecessary lights at night. Or use yellow light. Insects are not as attracted to yellow light as they are to white light.
If you are a grower and suspect that your crops are being damaged by wireworm larvae, it is best to seek advice from an agricultural expert who knows about it. As the treatment for it may vary from crop to crop, there is no need to see a doctor for this, as this is not a human health issue.
Take-Home Message
- Click beetles are a common insect species that are harmless to humans and are not poisonous.
- Their 'tuck' sound is made to right themselves when they fall over or to scare off predators. It is not dangerous.
- The only harm they can cause is damage to garden crops by their larvae (wireworms).
- To prevent beetles from entering your home, keep gaps in doors and windows well sealed. The use of insecticides is often unnecessary.
- If your crops are damaged, seek advice from an agricultural consultant .
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