click beetle

American  

noun

1. any of numerous beetles of the family Elateridae, having the ability to spring up with a clicking sound when placed on their backs.

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click beetle British  

noun

1. Also called: snapping beetle.   skipjack.  any beetle of the family Elateridae, which have the ability to right themselves with a snapping movement when placed on their backs See also wireworm

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Etymology

Origin of click beetle

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Kelsay Shaw said Possibility Place has “all the creepy-crawlies” such as eyed elater click beetles, over 100 species of caterpillars, as well as butterflies and moths.

From Seattle Times

Imagine a click beetle divided into two halves, the head and the abdomen, which are connected by a hinge.

From Salon

The green lights are click beetles hoping to lure termites into being their prey with a bioluminescent display.

From BBC

The world's 900 species of click beetles have a unique way righting themselves when they end up flat on their backs.

From National Geographic

Each might use a trick or two learnt from the click beetles, a family of insects with the unique ability to catapult themselves out of trouble.

From Nature