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Glite Dictionary
elaterid

elaterid

9.9
A beetle like a click beetle that makes a sharp click to flip and jump
  • noun
  • /ɪˈleɪtərɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escarabajo eléctrido
  • The elaterid beetle is well-known for its ability to click and flip itself into the air when threatened.

Examples

  • In the garden, we observed an elaterid scurrying across the soil, its shiny body reflecting the sunlight.

  • Extending his research into the field, Erickson has found elaterid and cerambyrid beetle larvae in Madagascar that bore chambers underneath bark.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Schoolchildren learned about the lifecycle of an elaterid during their biology class, excited to see one up close.

Synonyms

click beetle
vselaterid
1 7.6

A beetle that snaps its body to flip into the air and make a quick clicking sound

focuses on family identity and worldwide distribution rather than only flipping behaviour
elaterid beetle
vselaterid
  • Specialized
9.7

A long beetle that makes a loud click to flip itself upright

is the same term used more generally worldwide
elater
vselaterid
  • Specialized
9.9

A beetle that makes a strong click to flip itself upright

refers more to family identity and global occurrence rather than the mechanism

Compounds

elaterid beetle
  • Specialized
9.7

A long beetle that makes a loud click to flip itself upright

Surface Forms

elaterid singular
elaterids plural

Etymology

Elaterid comes from the Greek root elater which can be understood as 'to leap' or 'spring'. A helpful way to remember it is that these beetles are called click beetles because they make a sharp 'click' and can spring into the air, so the name points to their jumping action.