Comments for
Black and Grey Bug w Two Large Black Dots (Eyed elater or Eyed click beetle)

Click here to add your own comments

GIant Click Beetle
by: Carolyn

I also found one on the side of my porch where the bouganvilea and sunflowers are, in Robertsdale, Ala,a I thought it was actually two insects of the same species in their little love clinch but it turned out to be this elater click beetle with the two eyes on it. I went inside to try to find it on the internet, but when I came back outside it was gone. Glad to know it is not harmful but beneficial.
Found one in Georgia!
by: D.Thomas

My cat killed one that looked jjust like this. IN Northeastern Georgia. I remember those huge fake eyes in front , that white dots , on black and all those wings.
Eyed click beetle
by: Moni

Valerie
Assume that the beetle you found is the eyed click beetle. There are no records of this beetle biting...so not sure where you got such wrong info.
You said you had not found out what they eat and if they were destructive...if you scroll down a few comments below where you left a comment you will read this info which should answer your questions...it is not destructive but a cool insect!..."The adults may feed on some nectar. The larvae are predatory in decaying wood, eating grubs of wood-boring beetles like (Cerambycidae or longhorn beetles). "

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/black-and-grey-bug-w-two-large-black-dots-eyed-elater-or-eyed-click-beetle-comments.html#ixzz1Re2FGGd5
Lets talk strange looking in NJ
by: Valerie

We saw something on the edge of the birdbath. When I saw it I ran for my camera. I posted it on facebook to see if anyone knew what this bug was. I have been on the Internet for more then an hour and found this site. I think this ugly fellow arrived in the neighbors mulch. Stopped by for a drink from the birdbath. I also read they bite and will not let go easily. I have yet to find out what they eat and if they are destructive. Funny story. I typed in large eyed gray bug. The internet showed me a photo of little monster muppet. I wish the bug was that cute..
School Teacher
by: Anonymous

We see them often at our school. We always get new wood chips for the playground. So every year the children come up with, " What is that?" Now I can say, "Its a Click Beetle" Thank you
strange.scary black/white bug.
by: Ed

This rascal scared the daylights out of my wife (she called for her hero)...this bug/beetle also scared me. I took my sandal and he/she was hard to kill on the carpet. After 4 or 5 smacks, I took a wag with alcohol and made sure it was dead and sucked it in the vacuum cleaner. My wife said, "will he come back to life?" I surely would hate to wake up and have that rascal on me in the bed. Ed from Kings Mtn., NC
2 inch black beetle with eyes on its back
by: Anonymous

This insect fell out of tree as I was sitting on a bench in my woodland garden in South Carolina. This black hard shelled beetle had a fast walk. Thought perhaps the birds would eat him, but he blends in with brown mulch. Glad to know what he is.
EYED CLICK BEETLE
by: Moni

Georgia and Lakaya
If you read the bottom most comment in this comment section you will see the life cycle of this insect (which should answer your questions) as copied here..."The adults may come to lights, esp in the spring and early summer. This one was probably looking for some nectar and happened...(to get on your sun chair)...
The click beetle family are known for playing dead. Once they are playing dead you can place them on their backs and they will "click" themselves over...reason for the name click beetle.
These are found in woodlands. The adults may feed on some nectar. The larvae are predatory in decaying wood, eating grubs of wood-boring beetles like (Cerambycidae or longhorn beetles). "

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/black-and-grey-bug-w-two-large-black-dots-eyed-elater-or-eyed-click-beetle-comments.html#ixzz1Ps0eKoiR
FREAKY THING IN MY BACKYARD in P.A.
by: Georgia and Lakaya

we were just walking into my backyard about to go in my pool when we saw this weird looking bug (EYED ELATER OR EYED CLICK BEETLE) on my suntan chair. we squirted it with water and it moved a lot . but then it played dead. we totally FREAKED OUTT!!! it open to what it seemed to be its mouth and just closed it. we wonder what its purpose is and where its from. it is still living back there at this moment.
Jumped off my horse
by: Chase

June 12 in Northern Alabama, while crossing a log in what should be swamp, but dry because of this unseasonably hot weather, I saw this weird little critter and had to get down off my horse to get a better look. It clicked and acted dead allowing me to scoop it up in my hat. Thanks to all of you Inquisitive folks for the identification. I am turning it out in a big oak bottom that does not flood and hopefully it will be able to carry on...
Life is Good.
EYED ELATER OR EYED CLICK BEETLE
by: Moni

Carol
EYED ELATER OR EYED CLICK BEETLE either one is the common name used for this beetle, depending on where you are from. It will not hurt you at all.
Neat looking beetle!
Pretty
by: Carol

I found one here in Georgetown Texas! Wasn't sure if those were black eyes or not. Sounds like they aren't. I am guessing by the comments it won't hurt me or my dogs but it was friendly and stayed on the deck just watching us take pictures of it for a long time. Hour later it was gone....what is the actual name and if is harmful let me know:
my brother freaked out
by: Anonymous

we are living in pennsyvania me and my brother were playing in our back yard when he saw this bug and freaked out. he ran inside and got a shovel he came back out and almost got it but then my mom stoped him and brought him inside and looked it up on the web. even after we found out it was good he was still scared.
Neat!
by: UCMI

We just found one outside our house, and weren't sure what it was, so we Googled it... so glad to know it won't eat us during the night, because we saved it in my son's bug hut so he could see it in the morning! We'll definitely let it go then, though!
Just seen one in Walterboro, SC
by: Margaret

We where walking the dogs and there was one in the middle of the road. I got 3 good pictures of it with my phone if anyone wants to see them.
Eyed click beetle
by: Moni

Kathy
I will have to try spray painting to see if I can attract one at my place:-). Can't imagine spray paint having the right chemicals to attract the beetle, but you are lucky to see such a neat beetle!
Perhaps one was male and the other female, which might explain why 2 would be so close by.
Thanks for sharing your great story!
Eyed Click Beetle
by: Kathy in coastal NC

Earlier this week I was spray painting a porch swing on my back deck. The beetle wouldn't leave me alone! He'd land on the rail and then click over playing dead. He did this repeatedly until he clicked right into my jar. I didn't recognize him, so I caught him in a clear plastic jar. The next day, I was painting another swing and guess who started flying around? His friend, of course! The paint fumes must have been very attrative for them. I was saving the one in the jar so I could identify him for my granddaughter. Now that I know what he is, I can let him go. I did keep a few drops of water and a large leaf as well as a dead bug in the jar with the Eyed click beetle. I wanted him to have a little bit of variety in his diet... so long as I wasn't part of it!
EYED CLICK BEETLE
by: Moni

Finder
The adults may feed on some nectar. The larvae are predatory in decaying wood, eating grubs of wood-boring beetles like (Cerambycidae or longhorn beetles).
It is best to let it go...they are beneficial in controlling wood boring grubs.
Please read the first comment at the bottom of this comment page to learn more.

bug
by: finder

me and my friend found this bug while playing in the sprinkler. i wasn't htere when he found it but we have it in a jar. does anyone know what it eats?
EYED CLICK BEETLE
by: Moni

Regina
Keep taking the photos and when you can't find it on the site, send it in with info so we can help encourage your son to enjoy these neat critters!
Thanks for your encouragement to show him all nature has to offer!!
Click Beetle
by: Regina

So glad I found out what that was. I live here in NC and found a dead one at the bottom of my recycle bin. I took pics of it so I could try to identify it later. Going to save this site to my favorites. My son and I keep finding strange bugs sometimes. Woud love to find out what they are.
EYED CLICK BEETLE
by: Moni

Marybeth
Sounds like you caught them in the act! Great, then we know there will be more of these beetles around.
Thanks for sharing....hope you got a great pic!
Two of them making babies?
by: Marybeth

I went out today and found two joined together on mypicnic table. I have neaver seen these before. We live in Gainesville, Florida. I just had to take a picture.
NICE PHOTO
by: Venus

I just found one today. I live in Winter Park, FL. It was outside my house on an area where there was some wood. I wonder what it was doing there?
Eyed elater click beetle
by: Moni

Ashley
This click beetle is found all over eastern North America...east of the Rockies so they should be just as common in NJ as the Midwest.
click bettle
by: Ashley

Hi! im so glad we found this photo because we have one too here in Sicklerville, NJ. Sounds like they are native to the mid west areas. Im excited to see one they look amazing, although freaked me out because of the size. we werent sure if it was a breed of cockroach, so i researched it and found this photo. Next time we see one i hope its more of a friendly greeting.
I found one in MIdland Michigan
by: Tasha Eichenhofer

We were in my neighbors back yards and the wind blew a leaf that was on the ground over and there it was just sitting on a stick we carried it on the stick for awhile and let him go. He was awesome looking.
double black eyes
by: Patchogue, NY

I just found one today. I thought it was one of my fathers fishing lures because all of the arms and legs were underneath. I could not believe it was real until it started moving.
I found one too!
by: Anonymous

Hi, My name is Mandy- from upstate NY-Castleton/Schodack area- I found one of these click beetles in the back yard after a HUGE tree was cut down-scared the crud out of me...
Elmore City Oklahoma
by: Clayton Russell

hey I found one too I live in Elmore City oklahoma I found him in the road, at first I thought it was a fishing lure that had the hooks broke off. I reached down to pick it up and as soon as I touched him he jumped, ha ha It scared me, so I hurried up and ran inside to get a jar, I captured him and took him in to show my father. He has never seen a bug of this type, so I went to the computer and started searching. Well I found him on this web site. My name is Clayton Russell and im 18 years old... I learned something new.
2 spotted bug
by: Anonymous

Found one of these in Monticello, Indiana. This one was a little lighter in color.
Click Beetle at Houston
by: Luis

I found one of these at Houston downtown last week.
I also had my camera handy so i took a pic, curious about it , kinda scary due size and loud click when "feel in danger", also it jumps 15 inch height when clicking.
thanks for your feed back.
Thanks!
by: Ruth

Thanks, Moni, for your quick reply and great detective work. I called my brother with the news, and he was really glad he had let the bug go. A cousin who farms south of him had found one also, but he squished the poor thing. We'll have to tell him the truth and hope he will honor these beetles in the future for the valuable service they provide.
Southern Ontario too
by: Sue

Saw your question Ruth after observing a similar bug yesterday on our deck. Thanks for the photo, I was too slow to get the camera there in time. Nice to see the reply and know the name to the mystery beetle.
Eyed elater or Eyed click beetle
by: Moni

Ruth
Dear fellow Iowan, that is a large click beetle called the Eyed Elater or Eyed Click beetle. The large eye like spots make it very easy to identify. The adults may come to lights, esp in the spring and early summer. This one was probably looking for some nectar and happened to get to the pant leg during the activity of the haying process.
The click beetle family are known for playing dead. Once they are playing dead you can place them on their backs and they will "click" themselves over...reason for the name click beetle.
These are found in woodlands. The adults may feed on some nectar. The larvae are predatory in decaying wood, eating grubs of wood-boring beetles like (Cerambycidae or longhorn beetles).
So glad he let it go...they are beneficial in controlling those wood boring grubs.
Neat large beetles to find! Nice photo.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Insect Identification

Return to Black and Grey Bug w Two Large Black Dots (Eyed elater or Eyed click beetle)









Subscribe


Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Subscribe in a reader


Subscribe in a reader

E-Mail Updates


Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Videos

Watch Videos


Loading...

.