Post by trehopr1 on Sept 23, 2019 6:13:15 GMT
This very cool and unusual species of click beetle (Elateridae) is found here on the Eastern half of the U.S. The species is Alaus oculatus (Linnaeus, 1758). There are other species of "eyed elaters" in the western half of the U.S as well. Some tropical ones are known from Central America though, I am uncertain of their presence in South America.
This species is certainly the "grandest" of all the eastern species. I would add that surprisingly it is not encountered very often. When found it is usually only as singular individuals. It is to be found in deciduous/mixed forests and woodlands. Speaking, for myself I have only encountered this species but, once in southern Illinois on location of a well lit billboard sign which I was investigating for moths...
In the photo below, the specimen at the top was acquired from an old collection however, the much larger example was received from a friend who found it at a gas station stop in North Carolina a few short years ago. He remarked that he was surprised no one had managed to step on it with all the folks coming and going. I received it alive and it was neat holding it in my hand. It's a little over 2" inches or about 3/4 the length of your thumb.
This species is certainly the "grandest" of all the eastern species. I would add that surprisingly it is not encountered very often. When found it is usually only as singular individuals. It is to be found in deciduous/mixed forests and woodlands. Speaking, for myself I have only encountered this species but, once in southern Illinois on location of a well lit billboard sign which I was investigating for moths...
In the photo below, the specimen at the top was acquired from an old collection however, the much larger example was received from a friend who found it at a gas station stop in North Carolina a few short years ago. He remarked that he was surprised no one had managed to step on it with all the folks coming and going. I received it alive and it was neat holding it in my hand. It's a little over 2" inches or about 3/4 the length of your thumb.
