There are over 9000 species of click beetles worldwide, and over 900 species in North America alone.

This family is characterized by the unusual click mechanism on the beetle’s underside. A spine on the prosternum can be snapped into a corresponding notch on the mesosternum, producing a violent “click” that can bounce the beetle into the air. Clicking is mainly used to avoid predation, although it is also useful when the beetle is on its back and needs to right itself. See some close-ups and slow motion video here.