Strange insect/beetle

May 17, 2009 2:30 PM

What is this bug?

See pic here.

This was taken on my screen door in central North Carolina in early May 2009. Bug is probably 2 inches long and 3/4" inch wide at the widest point.

I've seen moths with those faux-eyes before, but never a beetle.

posted by jjsonp to home & garden (7 answers total)

I believe its an Eyed Click Beetle.
posted by blaneyphoto at 2:32 PM on May 17, 2009

Link.
posted by blaneyphoto at 2:34 PM on May 17, 2009

What is this bug? Cute.

blaneyphoto has it.
posted by zerokey at 2:34 PM on May 17, 2009

Also called An Eyed Elater according to What's That Bug.
posted by iconomy at 2:35 PM on May 17, 2009

It's an eastern eyed click beetle. Click beetles are pretty entertaining, as they can snap their head with a click to flip themselves over.
posted by Gneisskate at 2:37 PM on May 17, 2009

Hmmm, must post faster next time.
posted by Gneisskate at 2:38 PM on May 17, 2009

Very cool - thanks for the links everyone!

It is also on Wikipedia...it would be nice if someone knowledgeable fleshed that page out a bit though ;).
posted by jjsonp at 5:16 PM on May 17, 2009