Click beetles and cockroaches are two distinct types of insects that often cause confusion due to their similar appearances. In this article, we’ll discuss their differences and help you identify which is which.
Click beetles belong to the family Elateridae and are known for their unique ability to snap their body, propelling them into the air to right themselves when on their back. These insects have slender, shiny, and hard-bodied adult forms and are usually found on leaves and flowers Click Beetle / Wireworm – Texas A&M University.
On the other hand, cockroaches are part of the order Blattodea and are often associated with unclean environments. They prefer cool, dark, and damp places and are commonly found in homes, garages, basements, and drains Cockroaches Management Guidelines–UC IPM – UCANR.
Click Beetle Vs Cockroach: Basic Differences
Physical Characteristics and Appearance
Click Beetles:
- Elongated, parallel-sided body shape
- Can be ½ to 2-½ inches long
- Backward projections on side corners of shield behind head (pronotum)
- Somewhat flattened exoskeleton
- Antennae and legs are small
- Size and color vary by species (source)
Cockroaches:
- Oval or oblong body shape
- Typically, 1/2 to 2 inches long
- Long, segmented antennae
- Six legs with spines
- Wings present in some species
- Colors include brown, black, or reddish-brown (source)
| Feature | Click Beetles | Cockroaches |
|---|---|---|
| Body Shape | Elongated, flattened | Oval or oblong |
| Size | ½ to 2-½ inches long | 1/2 to 2 inches long |
| Antennae | Small | Long, segmented |
| Legs | Tiny true legs | Six legs with spines |
| Wings | Varies by species | Present in some species |
| Colors | Vary by species | Brown, black, reddish-brown |
Behavior and Habitat
Click Beetles:
- Known for their ability to “click” and flip themselves over using a snapping mechanism
- Found on leaves and flowers
- Larvae called wireworms, live in soil, and can damage plants
- Some adults eat other insects, while others consume plant material (source)
Cockroaches:
- Prefer warm, moist environments
- Often found in homes, food-processing facilities, and other structures
- Nocturnal and tend to hide during the day
- Most species are scavengers and will eat a wide variety of food, including human food waste (source)
Types and Species of Beetles and Cockroaches
Common Click Beetles
Click beetles are part of the Elateridae family. They are known for their unique ability to “click” and flip themselves upright when on their back. Some species within this family include:
- Eyed Click Beetle: Recognizable by its large eyespots, this beetle reaches up to 1¾ inches in length.
- Eastern Eyed Click Beetle: Found in South Carolina, this beetle also has large eyespots and can grow up to 2 inches.
Frequent Cockroach Species
Cockroaches are from the order Blattodea. Two common species found in the United States include:
- American Cockroach: Primarily found in sewer systems and basements, this roach species grows up to 1½ inches.
- German Cockroach: Often found in kitchens and bathrooms, it is smaller at around ½ inch in length.
Comparison Table:
| Click Beetles | Cockroaches | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Size | 12-30 mm, some species up to 45 mm | American: 1½ inches; German: ½ inch |
| Appearance | Elongated bodies, rounded front and end of wing covers | Flat, oval-shaped bodies, six legs |
| Habitat | Deciduous forests, larval stage in decaying logs | Sewer systems, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms |
| Unique Features | “Click” ability, flexible connection between thorax parts | Fast crawlers, ability to reproduce rapidly |
In conclusion, click beetles and cockroaches are both unique in their own ways. They have different physical appearances, habitats, and distinguishing features that set them apart from each other.
Infestations and Damage
Signs of Cockroach Infestation
- Droppings: Cockroach feces resemble black pepper or coffee grounds.
- Egg casings: Discarded, oval-shaped casings called oothecae indicate roach presence.
- Dead roaches: Finding dead roaches implies an active infestation.
- Unpleasant odor: A musty odor can indicate a large roach population.
Effects on Household and Gardens
Cockroaches:
- Contaminate food and kitchen surfaces, spreading bacteria like Salmonella and E.coli.
- Trigger allergies and asthma due to their shed skins and fecal matter.
- Damage materials such as paper, fabric, and glue, when feeding.
Click Beetles:
- Their larvae, called wireworms, feed on plant roots, causing damage to gardens and crops.
- Occasionally invade homes, but do minimal damage compared to roaches.
| Cockroaches | Click Beetles | |
|---|---|---|
| Household | High impact | Low impact |
| Gardens | Low impact | Moderate impact |
Managing Beetle Infestations
- Prevention:
- Seal gaps and cracks in walls, doors, and windows.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Keep home clean and free of debris.
- Mechanical Control:
- Handpick beetles outdoors and dispose of them.
- Use sticky traps indoors to capture beetles.
- Chemical Control:
- Apply insecticides, following label instructions and safety precautions.
- Consult a professional exterminator if infestations persist.
Remember, cockroaches and click beetles have different effects on households and gardens. Using proper identification and management techniques will help minimize damage and maintain a healthy living environment.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
22 Comments. Leave new
I dont think they are harmfull, still you could check in some pest inspectors blogs 🙂
best
I dont think they are harmfull, still you could check in some pest inspectors blogs 🙂
best
Is it odd that I would find one of these in my home in Tennessee?
Different species of Click Beetles are found throughout much of the world.
I just found one in an escalade for sale here in n.j. are they native to n.j.?
yes
This is a great photo of P. fortune. I have written a biography of Robert Fortune, the botanist, after whom this beetle is named. It will be published by Kew Botanic Gardens. I would very much like to include it in the book . Could I please have your permission to do so with credits for the photographer.
Many thanks Alistair
Dear Alistair,
We are copying James Kilfiger with your request. We will wait until he responds as he is the owner of the copyright to the image. Thanks for placing this request as a comment on the original posting to What’s That Bug? If you hear back from James, we hope you will also credit our site as the internet source of the image.
This is a great photo of P. fortune. I have written a biography of Robert Fortune, the botanist, after whom this beetle is named. It will be published by Kew Botanic Gardens. I would very much like to include it in the book . Could I please have your permission to do so with credits for the photographer.
Many thanks Alistair
MY FRIEND AND I ARE HAVING A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE BUGS . PLEASE HELP US? THESE FAST FUCKS ARE MESSING UP OUR WHOLE LIFE. ANYWAYS…….MY WHOLE LIFE. THESE SO CALLED NICE CREATURE, ARE ITCHING MY FACE TO DEATH. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.I USE LOTION AND THAT PINK STUFF FOR RASH….N.O.T.H.I.N.G.??????? WHAT THE HELL!!! CAN SOMEONE WRITE ME BACK ….VERY…SOOOOOONN,PLEASE..MY MAN DOES NOT BELIEVE ME AT ALL .HE THINK I AM LYING .SO ,I WILL BE RIGHT HERE BY THE NET UNTIL I GET A REPLY ,ON HOW TO CLEAR MY FACE UP??
I have a garden right outside my home (on the side) with tomatoes, squash, cauliflower, cucumbers, and potatoes. Do any of these plants draw click beetles? I have found 3 in my house in the last week. I live in North Carolina and remember playing with them as a child (clicking them) but I cannot remember seeing any in my house before. Is my garden the reason or just kids leaving the doors open at night when they catch lightening bugs?
Many species are attracted to lights. Also, larvae of some species are found in association with vegetable gardens.
I have many clicking beetles at the base of an oak tree. Will they damage the tree?
According to BugGuide: “Adults usually eat plants. Larvae eat newly planted seeds, roots, etc., some eat other insects.”
We found two of these in our bedroom (on separate days in different areas). My husband crushed the one he found, and it reeked!!! Is that normal for these beetles? I think we each found similar looking bugs and his was not a click beetle, but something more sinister. Side note: he found his in the bed, I am disgusted. I’ve always loved click beetles, I hope I don’t have to start avoiding them.
Though they look nothing alike when alive, many squashed insects look similar, and we suspect your husband might have crushed a stink bug.
I had to take my daughter to the ER yesterday due to one of these click beetles being in her ear.
Just found one in my home in Alabama USA
There are numerous native Click Beetles in Alabama.
I live in San Antonio
My husband & I just found one in our kitchen. GROSS!
I’ve never heard of a Click Beatle. It was the clicking sound that led me to it. My husband got rid of it.
I am in Melbourne Australia and one just landed on my car I got a pic of it omg freaked me out I’ve never seen anything like it
Tom W,
Having relocated to Midwest from your area, I’m finding these in new location as well. I researched as you did. My first stop after pest control was to 4-H and agriculture extensions, I was sent to Iowa State University Ag Extension.That’s where I found information on Click Beetles.
Mine look similar to yours so I will explain what I found from Wikipedia:
“Some click beetles are large and colorful, but most are under two centimeters long and brown or black, without markings. The adults are typically nocturnal and phytophagous, but only some are of economic importance. On hot nights they may enter houses, but are not pests there. Click beetle larvae, called wireworms, are usually saprophagous, living on dead organisms, but some species are serious agricultural pests, and others are active predators of other insect larvae.”
There’s no known predators or pest control management I could find as you I first thought of cockroaches, ugh! I thought I left all those potential East Coast insects when I moved Midwest rural.
Good luck! I put down Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth around baseboards and entry ways as an attempt to get rid of them.