Click Beetle

Adult click beetles are 8 mm long, and have elongated bodies that are brown in color. Their heads are large and almost totally hidden by the thorax. Click beetle eggs are slightly oval and 0.5 mm in their largest dimension. Larvae are 17 to 20 mm long, and less than 2 mm wide. They have a flattened head, short mandibles, and a shiny pale yellow cylindrical body.

These pests eat the roots of numerous plant species, especially in regions with a maritime and humid climate. Adults overwinter in the ground and emerge in the spring. Click beetles fly only at night, and even that is rare, but they walk actively. The underground parts of carrot, hop, tomato, onion, leek, chicory, lettuce, broad bean, ornamental plants or young trees can be seriously injured by click beetle infestations.

© Copyright Photo by Lynette Schimming.

For control products and more information please see our Pest Beetle Control page.