Elater Collection

Common horsetail spore, SEM
Common horsetail spore. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a spore of a common horsetail (Equisetum arvense) plant

Ctenicera cuprea beetle (Elater chalybeus). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by James Sowerby from The British Miscellany, or Coloured figures of new, rare, or little known animal subjects, London

Click beetle, Selatosomus aeneus (Elater cyaneus). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by James Sowerby from The British Miscellany, or Coloured figures of new, rare, or little known animal subjects

Sawyer, jewel and longhorn beetles
Steirastoma pustulatum beetle 1, Carolina sawyer beetle, Monochamus carolinensis 2, metallic jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgens 3, and longhorn beetle, Lagocheirus araneiformis 4

Elater beetles: Tetralobus flabellicornis 1, Agrypnus quadrimaculatus 2, Cardiophorus? pictus 3, Semiotus ligneus 4, Semiotus suturalis 5, and Chalcolepidus porcatus 6

Curtis British Entomology Plate 694
Coleoptera: Elater aterrimus = Megapenthes lugens [Plant: Dactylis glomerata (Cock?s-foot Grass)] Date: 1824-39

Reading by Firefly Light
Reading by means of the light of the Elater Noctilucus (firefly). Date: 1883

Click beetle (Athous sp.) on a leaf. This species of leaf beetle is native to Europe. Click beetles are so named due to their unusual ability to snap themselves into the air

Click beetles. View of the upper side of click beetles (Semiotus imperialis). These specimens are from the Amazon Basin, Brazil. Their bodies measure 5cm long

Horsetail spore, SEM
Horsetail spore. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a spore of a horsetail (Equisetum arvense) plant. Spores (round) bear elaters (helical)

Elater (Click Beetle) and Elops Saurus

Liverwort spore capsule, light micrograph. Longitudinal section through the thallus and sporangium of a liverwort (Jungammania sp.) The sporangium (spore capsule)

Liverwort spore elaters, light micrograph. Transverse section through the sporangium of a liverwort (Pellia epiphylla). This is the basal portion of the sporangium

Liverwort spores, light micrograph. Transverse section through the sporangium of a liverwort (Pellia epiphylla). Part of the sporangiums outer wall is at left

Liverwort spore case, light micrograph
Liverwort spore case. Light micrograph of a vertical section through a spore case (sporophyte) from a liverwort (Pellia epiphylla)

Horsetail spores, SEM
Horsetail spores. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of spores of a horsetail (Equisetum sp.). The spores (orange) bear elaters (green), which expand and contract with changes in humidity

Liverwort spore cases, light micrograph
Liverwort spore cases. Light micrograph of a cross-section through five spore cases (sporophytes) from the liverwort Conocephalum conicum (Marchantiales)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Elater beetles, also known as click beetles, are fascinating creatures that have captured the attention of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Their unique ability to produce a clicking sound by snapping their thoracic segments together is not only intriguing but serves as a defense mechanism against predators. One captivating image shows a common horsetail spore under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The intricate details of this tiny spore become apparent, revealing its role in the reproductive cycle of horsetails. Another SEM image showcases an array of horsetail spores, each one holding the potential for new life and growth. In contrast to these delicate spores, we find the Ctenicera cuprea beetle. Its metallic copper-colored exoskeleton gleams under sunlight, making it an eye-catching sight in any natural setting. This beetle belongs to the Elateridae family and shares some characteristics with other members such as Selatosomus aeneus or Sawyer beetles, jewel beetles, and longhorn beetles. A vintage illustration from Curtis British Entomology Plate 694 takes us back in time when scientific illustrations were meticulously hand-drawn. It beautifully captures the essence beetles with precise details that allow us to appreciate their intricate anatomy. But what truly sets elater beetles apart is their ability to communicate through light signals emitted by specialized organs called photic organs. These bioluminescent displays can be witnessed during warm summer nights when fireflies illuminate fields with their enchanting glow. Reading by firefly light becomes an unforgettable experience that reminds us of nature's wonders. With so much diversity within this group of insects, it's no wonder why they continue to captivate our curiosity. From their distinctive clicking behavior to their stunning colors and adaptations for communication through light signals – elater beetles never fail to amaze both scientists and those lucky enough to witness them in action.