Most predators are looking for an easy target, and size them up based on physical appearance. Alaus oculatus, commonly called the eastern eyed click beetle or eyed elater, is a species of click beetle. If you notice other pests that have made their way into your home, call Certified Pest Control Nashville to perform a free inspection to define and address your issue. This click catapults the beetle two to ten inches into the air to get back on their feet. Although the adult Click Beetle is not categorized as much of a pest in Nashville, they will invade your homes at night trough cracks and crevices. Visitors there can be reasonably sure of seeing American Alligators in the wild. Click beetles get their name from the sound they make when they flip themselves upright. It is their behavior when they feel threatened. Eyed Click Beetles can be found in the Eastern United States as far west as Texas. It simply drops onto his back and plays dead until the predator gives up and goes on their own way. Just let it get on with his journey and simply enjoy a beautiful and unique insect making his way through your lovely garden. Click beetles are found in all regions of the United States. The material presented across this site is for entertainment value and should not be construced as usable for scientific research or medical advice (insect bites, etc...) Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. The Eastern-Eyed Click Beetle is typically, black; yellow; spotted; eyes; shapes; white; silver; gray. Description Alaus oculatus can reach a length of … may be found … Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Believe it or not, it’s not the eyes of the beetle that really catch people’s attention. Most Click Beetle larvae live in the soil, but some are found under bark, in decaying wood, and in moss. During their lifespan living on the ground, they are prey to different predators such as birds, reptiles and moles. The Eastern Eyed Click Beetle is a quite interesting and eye catching insect both because it is pretty large (longer than an inch) and has those beautiful pair of eyes adorning the back of its head. Wild Fact #546 – The Rat of the Sea – Spotted Ratfish, Wild Fact #4 – Goodbye Tiny Hippo – Madagascar Dwarf Hippopotamus, Wild Fact #460 – Little Bat, Big Problems – Bumblebee Bat, Wild Fact #627 – Beauty and the “Beest” – Wildebeest, Wild Fact #737 – Puss Moth 2.0 – Puss Moth, Wild Fact #462 – Definitely Not Spineless – Porcupine. The Eastern Eyed Click Beetle is mostly encountered in all the American states east of the Great Plains and up north into Canada. by Harley Center. These kinds of beetles are Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After mating, she lays her eggs in the soil. By submitting images to us (BeetleIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. EYED CLICK BEETLES – TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, STEVE CLARK – Entomologist Dr. Art Evans and 88.9 WCVE producer Steve Clark discuss the natural history of eyed click beetles. However it is the large dark circular plates, surrounded by large white borders on their heads that get the most attention from us and their predators. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Apart from most of their close relatives, the Eastern Eyed Click Beetle is actually a friend of your garden, where usually you’ll be able to spot it in pruned trees. Larvae (wireworms) eat plants and other living things in the soil. So the Click Beetle bends in a way that allows the notch and pin to become unlocked and release a powerful click. SC: I’m Steve Clark with Dr. Art Evans, entomologist, and this is What’s Bugging You. These are not eyes, but rather a mimic appearance to fool birds and reptiles looking for an easy meal. When threatened or touched the Click Beetle will play dead, and quickly roll over on its back. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. This way, the beetle manages to jump up and flip into the air and get back on its two feet in no time. I have a passion for self-development and of course everything related to our natural ecosystems. No need to worry though, as they are generally harmless and you can simply scoop them up and let them back outside where they belong. They have also been observed taking flight in midair during this flipping episode in order to get mobile again. Adult Click Beetles are found on the ground, on plants, in decaying wood, or hiding under bark. So they might just leave this beetle alone, based on this interpretation of size. They are surrounded by a thin, white ring. They usually live in wood piles, decaying wood, stumps, soil and mulch. Most click beetles range between 2.5 and 18 mm (less than 0.75 This species grow up to two inches in length and have a more dramatic appearance than most of the other click beetle species. Eastern-Eyed Click Beetles have black bodies with grey – white speckles on the majority of their body. The problem is that they do not have long enough legs, or maneuverability to roll back over. The Click Beetle‘s most interesting characteristic is the clicking mechanism that they posses. A Beetle that Knows how to Click The Eastern Eyed Click Beetle is a quite interesting and eye catching insect both because it is pretty large (longer than an inch) and has those beautiful pair of eyes adorning the back of its head. Eastern-Eyed Click Beetle The Eastern-Eyed Click Beetle is named as such due to the eyes-like shapes appearing on its pronotum.