Elateridae Leach, 1815
body elongate-narrow, flattened, parallel sided and rather tapered at the tip. Posterior points of pronotum extended backwards into sharp points. Antennae usually saw-like and inserted close to the eyes; head deeply inserted into the pronotum. Tarsi 5-5-5. front of body loosely joins back of body and can be moved. .Larvae are long and narrow, brown in colour, with a hard compact body.
The beetles are well known for their clicking mechanism that is present on the underside of the thorax and enables beetles to leap in the air, usually with audible 'click'. The adults are usually nocturnal, some are plant-eaters and others eat rotting wood where they often lay the eggs as well. Larvae are said to feed on other insects or plants roots causing vast damage to them. Larvea are often called wireworms.