Two-coloured Brown Click Beetle (Athous bicolor, Goeze, 1777)
Family: Elateridae.
Length 8 to 10mm (males slightly smaller than females)
Adults: June to August.
A widespread species found in most parts of Europe, mainly central and the southern countries of Europe, (not found as far north as click beetle “Athous haemorrhoidalis”). Also, as far east, into Russia.
Habitat: Grasslands, hedgerows, parks and woodland edges. Usually found on low vegetation.
Larvae develop underground, as they feed on a variety of grass roots. The adults will burrow underground to hibernate.
The Click beetle takes two years to develop and pupate underground.
The adult beetle, like most beetles are strong fliers, they make a clicking sound when taking and if handled.
They are preyed upon by the smaller birds, particularly birds related to the tit family.