Eastern Eyed Click Beetle
ExploreInsects
Eastern Eyed Click Beetle
Alaus oculatus
The Eastern Eyed Click Beetle is a fun little bug that can jump high when it feels scared! It has big, beautiful eyes on its back that look like they are watching you.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Eastern Eyed Click Beetle is a large, sturdy beetle, typically black with distinct, prominent white-ringed black eyespots on its thorax, which are not real eyes. Its hard shell often has a slightly fuzzy texture, making it visually unique among common beetles.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyElateridaeGenusAlaus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite their fierce appearance, adult Eastern Eyed Click Beetles are completely harmless to humans!
Its larval stage, called a wireworm, lives underground for several years before transforming!
The 'click' sound can be loud enough for humans to hear from a few feet away.
They use their fake eyespots to trick birds and other predators into thinking they are a bigger creature.
Special abilities
Ability
Click & Flip!
Eastern Eyed Click Beetles can flip themselves upright by arching their back and 'clicking' a spine into a groove, which helps them escape predators.
Ability
False Eye Defense
Eastern Eyed Click Beetles have large, dark eyespots on their back that mimic bigger eyes, making them look more intimidating to frighten away enemies.
Ability
Armored Body
Eastern Eyed Click Beetles have a very tough exoskeleton that helps protect them from physical damage and many predator attacks.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 40-70 mm
- Size
- 25-45 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-60 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults eat sap, but the hungry larvae are underground hunters of other insect grubs!
Age differences: Adults feed on plant sap and nectar, while the larvae (wireworms) are predatory, hunting other insect larvae underground.
Primary Foods
- tree sap
- nectar
- Japanese beetle larvae
- June beetle larvae
- wood-boring beetle larvae
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Hairy Woodpecker
Picoides villosus
Adult beetles can be caught and eaten by woodpeckers.
eats
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
Larvae of the click beetle prey on the grubs of this invasive pest.
eaten by
Masked Shrew
Sorex cinereus
Shrews may unearth and consume click beetle larvae in the soil.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's best to watch beetles from a distance and not touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eastern Eyed Click Beetle's wingspan?
40-70 mm
How big is Eastern Eyed Click Beetle?
25-45 mm
How long does Eastern Eyed Click Beetle live?
30-60 days
What does Eastern Eyed Click Beetle eat?
Adults eat sap, but the hungry larvae are underground hunters of other insect grubs!
Where is Eastern Eyed Click Beetle usually found?
Forests
How does Eastern Eyed Click Beetle hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Eastern Eyed Click Beetle have?
6
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