Eastern eyed click beetle of the click beetle family is majorly found in the forest and woodland regions of North and Central America. The big, black eyespots on its pronotum, looking like false eyes, has earned the beetle its name.
Size: 24 – 45 mm
Color: It has a black or dark gray body covered with white speckles. A white circular ring borders the two black eyespots, while the black elytra have silvery-white scales on it.
Other Characteristic Features: Their body appears elongated, while the enlarged spots on their pronotum gives the impression of two big eyes.
The larva, also known as wireworms, inhabit the decayed plants, eating other insects dwelling in the soil. They are yellowish-white or coppery with a smooth, slender body.
The pupal phase takes place within the rotting logs or underground where the larva thrives.
The eggs are small, and round mostly laid within the soil by the female eastern eyed click beetle species.
| Other Names | Eyed elater |
| Adult lifespan | 2 – 5 years |
| Duration of larval stage | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Distribution | North America, Central America |
| Habitat | Woodlands, deciduous or mixed forests mostly thriving in piles or stumps of decayed wood |
| Common Predators | Not recorded |
| Seasons active from | April – September |
| Host Plants | Grasses and crops like corn |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Larvae of other beetle species, particularly wood-boring beetles, as well as that of caterpillars and flies; and also roots as well as grasses Adults: Nectar and juices of plants |
Though they are not harmful yet, their infestation could create yellow patches in the grasses or even damage the roots.
Image Source: welcomewildlife.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, lh4.ggpht.com, objects.liquidweb.services, nature.mdc.mo.gov
Eastern eyed click beetle of the click beetle family is majorly found in the forest and woodland regions of North and Central America. The big, black eyespots on its pronotum, looking like false eyes, has earned the beetle its name.
Size: 24 – 45 mm
Color: It has a black or dark gray body covered with white speckles. A white circular ring borders the two black eyespots, while the black elytra have silvery-white scales on it.
Other Characteristic Features: Their body appears elongated, while the enlarged spots on their pronotum gives the impression of two big eyes.
The larva, also known as wireworms, inhabit the decayed plants, eating other insects dwelling in the soil. They are yellowish-white or coppery with a smooth, slender body.
The pupal phase takes place within the rotting logs or underground where the larva thrives.
The eggs are small, and round mostly laid within the soil by the female eastern eyed click beetle species.
| Other Names | Eyed elater |
| Adult lifespan | 2 – 5 years |
| Duration of larval stage | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Distribution | North America, Central America |
| Habitat | Woodlands, deciduous or mixed forests mostly thriving in piles or stumps of decayed wood |
| Common Predators | Not recorded |
| Seasons active from | April – September |
| Host Plants | Grasses and crops like corn |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Larvae of other beetle species, particularly wood-boring beetles, as well as that of caterpillars and flies; and also roots as well as grasses Adults: Nectar and juices of plants |
Though they are not harmful yet, their infestation could create yellow patches in the grasses or even damage the roots.
Image Source: welcomewildlife.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, lh4.ggpht.com, objects.liquidweb.services, nature.mdc.mo.gov
