Matrix-based key to the click beetle genera of Canada and USA with a summary of habitat use (Coleoptera, Elateridae)

By

Douglas, Hume
Etzler, Frank
Johnson, Paul J.
Hammond, H.E. James

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1200

Pages

75--144

Subjects

Click beetle , crop pests , digital identification tools , interactive key , invasive alien species , key , Lucid , matrix key , Wireworms

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1200.119315

 

Abstract

The Elateridae, or click beetles are abundant and diverse in most terrestrial ecosystems in North America, acting as plant pests and filling many other ecological roles. The 112 genera of Elateridae Leach, 1815, or click beetles, known from Canada and USA are included in a first comprehensive digital interactive key to adults. A link to an online peer-reviewed LUCID key to elaterid genera and downloadable LUCID files are provided. Diagnostic morphological summaries using information from the 61 characters and 158 character states of the matrix key are presented for all genera. A table summarizes current understanding of habitat use by all elaterid genera in Canada and USA from literature, collections, citizen science, and our own observations. Diversity of elaterid genera was high throughout warm and cool temperate regions, especially in mountainous areas and mesic woodlands. Larvae of most genera were associated with soil, litter and decaying wood.