Click beetle

Click beetle, long-bodied, short-legged beetle (family Elateridae) that can throw itself over with a “click” if placed on its back. On the underside of the first segment of its thorax is a spine that rests in a groove in the second segment. When upside down, the beetle bends its head back, pulling the spine out of the groove. This is then thrust sharply back, making an audible click and throwing the beetle into the air. The larvae of click beetles are wire-worms, serious agricultural pests.