Species Insects & ArthropodsEyed Click Beetle

Eyed Click Beetle

Alaus oculatus

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus)

The Eyed Click Beetle is one of North America's most distinctive beetles, with two large, bold black-and-white false eyespots on its thorax that resemble enormous owl eyes, startling predators. It is one of the largest click beetles, reaching over 1.5 inches in length, and the click mechanism is impressively audible. Its larvae are predatory, living inside decaying hardwood logs.

Habitat
Deciduous forests with rotting logs and dead trees
Diet
Larvae: other insects in decaying wood. Adults: plant material
How common
Common

Best time to see a Eyed Click Beetle

The best time to see a Eyed Click Beetle is May–June, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 25,467 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Eyed Click Beetle? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Eyed Click Beetle sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Eyed Click Beetle? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Eyed Click Beetle is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More insects & arthropods

Falcate Orangetip
Falcate Orangetip
Anthocharis midea
Fall Armyworm Moth
Fall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperda
Fall Armyworm Parasitoid
Fall Armyworm Parasitoid
Diapetimorpha introita
Fall Cankerworm Moth
Fall Cankerworm Moth
Alsophila pometaria
Fall Field Cricket
Fall Field Cricket
Gryllus pennsylvanicus
Fall Webworm Moth
Fall Webworm Moth
Hyphantria cunea
False Black Widow
False Black Widow
Steatoda grossa
Familiar Bluet
Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile