The “eyed elaters” in the genus Alaus, family Elateridae, certainly are a curiosity, and thankfully harmless.... There are currently six recognized North American species in the genus Alaus, five of which are discussed below. They are collectively found over most of the U.S. and southern Canada. Are Eyed click beetles dangerous?
What is another name for an eyed elater?
Alaus oculatus, commonly called the eastern eyed click beetle or eyed elater, is a species of click beetle . Alaus oculatus can reach a length of about 25–45 millimetres (1.0–1.8 in).
How long does the eyed elater live?
The Eyed Elater spends most of its life in the larval form, perhaps as long as 2-5 years. All the longer to do its good deeds! The grown beetle is actually rather attractive. It is black, with 2 large false eyes on the back of its 1� inch body.
How do eastern eyed elaters fly?
Sometimes an EEE will launch itself into flight during the arc of its leap; more often it returns to earth, where it may tuck in its legs and play possum until its predator moves on. The impressive Eastern Eyed Elater or Big-eyed click beetle ( Alaus oculatus) fell onto a burdock leaf as the BugLady mowed the grass nearby.
What are Elater eyespots made of?
The eyespots as well as the other spots are made up of tiny, light-colored scales similar to scales that make up the patterns on a butterfly's wings. FIGURE 2. The Eyed Elater's functional eyes are small and rounded, and located on either side of the head just behind its antennae.
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Are Eyed click beetles harmful?
Although they have strong mandibles and can give a sharp bite if not handled carefully, eyed click beetles are neither pests nor beneficials.
What do eyed Elaters eat?
nectarIn its adult stage, the eyed elater is thought to feed on nectar — if it eats at all. But as a larva, when it's known as a wireworm, it's an insect-eating machine.
Where do eyed Elaters live?
Its spectacular “eyes” and mottled white speckles are said to provide good camouflage, and the false eyes are designed to terrify predators. It feeds on nectar. EEEs are found in woodlands throughout North America and well south into Central America.
Do click beetles bite humans?
No. Click beetles might look nefarious, but they do not bite.
Are jewel bugs poisonous?
But the jewel beetle is neither toxic nor does it mimic a poisonous species with a rainbow-like array of colours.
How long do click beetles live as adults?
Click beetles can survive from one to couple of years, depending on the species.
What kind of bug has fake eyes?
The most prominent feature of the Eyed Elater is the two 2 large false eyes (eyespots) on the back of its 1 inch body....Quick FactsCommon Name:Eyed ElaterGenus / Species:Alaus oculatusSize:Adults 1 inch; larva up to 2 inches longType of Beneficial:Insect Predator5 more rows
What are the clicking bugs in Colorado?
Even when not seen, the broadwinged katydid is one of the most often heard Colorado insects, making clicking calls in trees and shrubs during late summer.
What does the Eyed Click Beetle eat?
Their diet consists of nectar and plant juice. The larva's diet consists of grubs and wood-boring beetles.
Are beetle bites poisonous?
The welts or blisters on your skin are a reaction to cantharidin, an odorless, colorless chemical the beetle releases to protect itself against its enemies. Although cantharidin is highly toxic and dangerous to a blister beetle's enemies, it's not toxic to human skin.
Are click beetles poisonous to dogs?
Can dogs eat beetles? For the most part, beetles are safe for your dog to eat. Just keep an eye out because Asian lady beetles (that look like ladybugs) could cause an upset stomach if your dog eats too many of them.
Are there any poisonous beetles?
Onychocerus albitarsis is present in a secondary forest of the Atlantic Forest biome and is the only venomous beetle ever recorded. This beetle is able to inoculate a secretion through stingers located at the ends of its antennae, but its biology and the nature of its toxin are unknown.
What is an Eastern Eyed Elater?
The impressive Eastern Eyed Elater or Big-eyed click beetle ( Alaus oculatus) fell onto a burdock leaf as the BugLady mowed the grass nearby. According to bugguide.net, there are six Alaus species in North America, one, appropriately named Alaus myops. An EEE measures an inch-and-a half long +, and an energetic “click” can send it several inches in the air (the BugLady has seen small EEs propel themselves six or more inches into the air). Yes, it can fly. Its spectacular “eyes” and mottled white speckles are said to provide good camouflage, and the false eyes are designed to terrify predators. It feeds on nectar. EEEs are found in woodlands throughout North America and well south into Central America.
What are icky bugs?
“Icky-bugs” are actually Click beetles (family Elateridae), a.k.a snapping beetles or skipjacks. About a tenth of the world’s 9,300 species live in North America, occupying most habitats except very cold and very wet ones, and deserts. Their elytra (hard wing covers) are grooved and pitted lengthwise and are often covered with slippery scales, and the long, slim shape is typical of the family. The CBs of the BugLady’s youth were generally all-brown/all-black and maybe ½” to ¾”, but she has photographed some two-toned CBs, including (badly) a bright red and black individual (possibly Aeolus mellilus ), and the awesome Eastern Eyed Elater.
What is the eyed elater?
Unlike its many cousins, the Eyed Elater larva is ferocious meat-eater that dines on many other noxious larvae, including those of wood-boring beetles, flies, and other undesirables.
How long do eyed elaters live?
The Eyed Elater spends most of its life in the larval form, perhaps as long as 2-5 years. All the longer to do its good deeds! The grown beetle is actually rather attractive.
What does an Alaus oculatus larva look like?
Found under logs and other dark, damp places, the Alaus oculatus larva looks like a stocky, yellowish-brown, segmented worm. It has a flat, dark brown rectangular head that ends in 2 powerful jaws. The jaws, which resemble small crab legs, are used to disable and dismember prey. An individual is about 2 inches long.
What are eyespots made of?
The eyespots as well as the other spots are made up of tiny, light-colored scales similar to scales that make up the patterns on a butterfly's wings. FIGURE 2.
Why do eyes elaters click?
If you were a Eyed Elater, of course you would! And you would do it with a very loud "click", because you would want to get away from whatever turned you on your back. Most likely, that culprit would be one of your personal predators and you would want to avoid being its lunch.
How many false eyes does a beetle have?
The grown beetle is actually rather attractive. It is black, with 2 large false eyes on the back of its 1� inch body. There is a spine on its poststernum that can be snapped into a corresponding notch on the mesosternum. Then, the beetle flexes its back to "pop" itself as much as 6 inches into the air.
Do adult critters eat nectar?
Adults probably feed on nectar, if they feed at all. The only hazard grown critters might present to us is to startle us. They are attracted to light and, in hot weather, may enter a house through an opened window or door at night. You want to remember the beneficial effect of its offspring before stepping on one.
Why are there false eyes on the pronotum?
The "false eyes" depicted on the pronotum are a defensive adaption that has evolved because of its advantage confusing or frightening potential predators. The eyespots are a form of self-mimicry, in which one part of the body has adapted to mimic another body part.
How big is Alaus oculatus?
Alaus oculatus can reach a length of about 25–45 millimetres (1.0–1.8 in). They have an elongated body, black in color throughout. The pronotum exhibits a large oval patch of darker scales, framed in white, on each side - the common name of the beetle derives from this feature.
