Guardian Nature School Team Contact Blog Project Noah Facebook Project Noah Twitter

A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife

Join Project Noah!
nature school apple icon

Project Noah Nature School visit nature school

Eyed Click Beetle

Alaus oculatus

Description:

Click beetles are flattened, elongate, beetles that are curved at the ends. They are black or brown in color. This beetle is marked with prominent oval eye spots on the pronotum and mottled gray wing covers. The Eyed Click Beetle has huge false eyespots that probably deter potential predators. This beetle ranges in size from 1 to 1 ½ inches long and is the largest click beetle. The antenna are close to the eyes and are saw toothed or comb like.

Notes:

On their underside, they have a click mechanism that aids them in defense and righting themselves when they are turned upside down. They release this mechanism with an audible "click" which causes the head to snap back with such force that they can be propelled into the air as much as several inches.

Species ID Suggestions



Sign in to suggest organism ID

1 Comment

rubens.luciano
rubens.luciano 12 years ago

It is very similar to a big Firefly that I found sometimes in Brazil. But it has black spots instead of green lights.

Look here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ligiartendp...

CynthiaMHori
Spotted by
CynthiaMHori

Michigan, USA

Spotted on Jun 29, 2011
Submitted on Jun 29, 2011

Related Spottings

Eyed click beetle Eyed Click Beetle Eyed Click Beetle Eyed Click Beetle

Nearby Spottings

Red backed Salamander White-faced Meadowhawk Spotting Young Male Eastern Pondhawk
Noah Guardians
Noah Sponsors
join Project Noah Team

Join the Project Noah Team