Aeolus sp.

Aeolus is a genus of click beetle, with more than 200 species worldwide. All click beetles possess a spine and mesosternal groove mechanism on their midsections. If a click beetle is flipped onto its back, it can bend its head and thorax backward and quickly straighten its body. This action causes the spine to snap into the groove which throws the beetle into the air while producing an audible clicking noise. This process is performed until the beetle eventually lands upright.

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Elateridae
Species: Aeolus sp.

Photograph: © 2019 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 04 June 2019
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co.