Elateridae

plural noun

El·​a·​ter·​i·​dae
ˌeləˈterəˌdē
: a large family of elongated tapering beetles that commonly have the ability when overturned to flip into the air by a sudden movement of the prothorax and so produce a distinct clicking compare click beetle, wireworm

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Elater, type genus + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Elateridae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Elateridae. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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