We couldn’t find a lot of information for this beetle, but we do know that it can perform the family’s signature click trick. Gently pick one up and you’ll not only hear the clicking sound they make, you’ll see your little friend launch into the air. These beetles have a special spine on the underside of their thorax. They use their muscles to arch their bodies, insert the spine into a special groove, and then continue to contract their muscles until the spine eventually pops out of the groove with enough released energy to send the beetle flying. They use this “click” to hopefully avoid being eaten by something and to right themselves in case they end up on their back. This species can be found in western North America, from British Columbia to Oregon to Alberta to Utah.
Size: 10-15 mm
Photo by: Glenn Marangelo on 6/26/22 near Clinton, MT