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Mila'sExotic Plants & CuriositiesA living collection by Luminary OdditiesLuminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Alaus oculatus
Coleoptera / Elateridae
Alaus oculatus is an eastern North American click beetle whose large black pronotal spots are bordered in white. Microscopy shows that pigment and densely arranged hairs combine to produce the unusually dark false eyes.
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Alaus oculatus is a click beetle in Elateridae. The Eastern Eyed Click Beetle and Eyed Elater names refer to the same species. [1]
The species is widespread in the eastern United States, reaching Texas and Florida. Larvae occur in rotting hardwood stumps, including oak, cherry and apple. [1]
The mature larva is heavily sclerotized, with a nearly black head and a dark abdominal end. Its ninth abdominal segment carries conical tubercles and a pair of forked projections. [1]
Larvae prey on other beetle larvae within wood. A historical caged-rearing observation reported more than 200 longhorn-beetle larvae consumed by each A. oculatus larva during development. [1]
The thoracic hinge latches a prosternal peg against a mesosternal lip. Rapid release of the latch produces the characteristic click and can launch the body without a push from the legs. [3]
In the 2020 optical study, the false-eye surface absorbed 96.1% of incident light across 300–700 nm at the stated 24.8° collection angle. Upright cone-shaped hairs and melanin contributed to this deep black appearance. [2]
The parasitoid wasp Xorides catomus has been recorded from A. oculatus larvae. [1]
Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.
R. E. Woodruff; UF/IFAS Featured Creatures, EENY085 · Accessed 2026-10-13
Wong & Marek; PeerJ 8, e8161 (2020) · Accessed 2026-10-13
Journal of Experimental Biology (2019) · Accessed 2026-10-13
GBIF Secretariat · Accessed 2026-10-13
Sources checked 2026-10-13. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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