🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨

If ever there was a beetle made for a circus, it would be the Luminescent Click Beetle. It may look like any other brown beetle to most, but this humble-looking insect can do a myriad of tricks other insects can't. Look for its long brown body and two yellowish-white spots, one each on the outer edges of the thorax, when trying to identify it.

Like Fireflies, this beetle has light-producing organs. These organs are under the insect and give it a blue-green glow. Bioluminescence is not widespread in the insect world, so having it makes the Luminescent Click Beetle special. Because it is a member of Elateridae, it is able to snap a spine-like appendage against its chest which creates a 'click' or snapping noise as well as elevation. This feature allows the beetle to flip itself should it ever get turned onto its back. It also helps it quickly move away from threats like predators. The 'jump' can be quite high (about 10cm, or 6 inches) for such a small creature. This beetle can also fly, like all beetles. This collection of abilities makes the Luminescent Click Beetle extraordinary.