Alaus oculatus

Alaus oculatus, commonly called the eastern eyed click beetle or eyed elater, is a species of click beetle.

Alaus oculatus, preserved specimen

Alaus oculatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Elateridae
Genus:
Alaus
Species:
A. oculatus
Binomial name
Alaus oculatus

Description

Alaus oculatus can reach a length of about 25–45 millimetres (1.0–1.8 in).[1] They have an elongated body, black in colour 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. The elytra are striated and mottled with silvery whitish scales.[1][2][3] The "false eyes" depicted on the pronotum are a defensive adaption designed to confuse or frighten potential predators. Like all click beetles, A. oculatus is also capable of suddenly catapulting itself out of danger by releasing the energy stored by a click mechanism, which consists of a stout spine on the prosternum and a matching groove in the mesosternum.[4]

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid in soil. Larvae are predators of beetle larvae feeding in decaying wood, especially Cerambycidae.[1]

Diet

Their diet consists of nectar and plant juice. The larvae diet consists of grubs of wood-boring beetles.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in Central and North America.[1] It can be found in deciduous/mixed forests and woodlands.[3]

References
  1. R.E. Woodruff (2014). "Featured creatures: Alaus spp". University of Florida. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  2. "Eyed click beetle (Alaus oculatus) (Linnaeus, 1758)". Forestry Images, The University of Georgia. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  3. "Species Alaus oculatus - Eyed Click Beetle". BugGuide.net. 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  4. Evans, Arthur V.; Bellamy, Charles (2000). An Inordinate Fondness for Beetles. University of California Press. pp. 27–28. ISBN 978-0-520-22323-3.


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