Eyed Click Beetle Alaus oculatus Eyed Click Beetles, also known as elaters, skipjacks, snapping beetles, and spring beetles, are a unique, benign species of beetle. They are 1.5 inches long and are black with white speckles. They have distinctive oval eye spots on the back of their heads, which are used to fool predators into thinking they can see danger approaching.

This beetle is best known for its ability to flip itself off its back by snapping a segment of its spine, which makes the characteristic click sound for which this beetle is named! They can flip themselves off their back by snapping a segment of their spine!

From left to right: Eyed Click Beetle at Butternut Hill (photo courtesy Lake The Eyed Click Beetle spends 2-5 years in the larvae stage. Larvae are Champlain Land Trust); Eyed Click Beetle getting ready to take off (photo by Melody known as wireworms and have a hardened body that can be 2.5 inches McFarland); Eyed Click Beetle larvae long. The larvae is found under logs and in dark, damp places. They (photo by Stephen Cresswell). are useful to have around, as they eat other noxious larvae, including the larvae of wood-boring beetles and flies.

The larvae disable and dismember their prey by using their two powerful jaws. In comparison, the adult beetles only feed on nectar.

A Lake Champlain Land Trust Nature Snapshot Protecting lakeshore and natural areas since 1978 www.LCLT.org