click beetle


noun

any of numerous beetles of the family Elateridae, having the ability to spring up with a clicking sound when placed on their backs.
Also called skipjack, snapping beetle.

Origin of click beetle

First recorded in 1860–65

Words nearby click beetle

Example sentences from the Web for click beetle

  • In the books it is called a click-beetle, but it is also called a skip-jack because of the somersaults it can turn.

    Little Busybodies |Jeanette Augustus Marks and Julia Moody

British Dictionary definitions for click beetle

click beetle

noun

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