Alaus myops

Distinguished from the Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus) by smaller, less conspicuous eyespots and predominantly slate gray rather than boldly mottled black-and-white coloration. Separated from western species A. melanops by geographic range (A. melanops occurs west of the Great Plains). The specific epithet 'myops' (Greek for 'near-sighted' or 'short-sighted') refers to the reduced eyespots. Adults may be attracted to aromatic solvents and fresh paint, scents associated with freshly cut or damaged trees.

Southern pine forests; adults and larvae found under loose bark on pine trees, logs, and stumps. Associated with decaying wood where larvae hunt other insects.

Eastern North America from Quebec to Florida, west to Manitoba, Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas. Most common in southern pine forests.

Adults active during day or at dusk; primarily encountered late spring through June and July. Some adults may overwinter in cavities in rotten wood and be found year-round.

Both adults and larvae are predatory. Larvae prey on larvae and pupae of other beetles and insects in decaying wood. Adult feeding habits less documented but likely predatory or associated with fermenting tree products.

• Pinus - habitatAssociated with pine forests; adults and larvae found under bark of pine trees

Larvae are large, elongate 'wireworms' with powerful jaws, living in decaying wood and preying on other insect larvae. Pupation occurs in wood. Adults emerge and may overwinter in wood cavities.

Exhibits thanatosis (playing dead) when disturbed, lying still with legs and antennae appressed. Uses prosternal spine and mesosternal notch mechanism to produce audible click and launch body into air when threatened or when overturned. Clicking serves both predator escape and self-righting functions. Strong fliers but relatively slow on foot.

Predator in decomposer food webs of decaying wood; larvae help regulate populations of other wood-inhabiting insects. Contributes to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems through predation in decaying wood habitats.

Harmless to humans; occasionally encountered by entomologists and naturalists in pine forests. No economic significance; larvae may be beneficial as predators of potential pest insects in dead wood.

• Alaus oculatusLarger, more conspicuous eyespots; bold black-and-white mottled coloration; primarily eastern distribution overlapping with A. myops
• Alaus melanopsWestern Eyed Click Beetle; similar reduced eyespots but ranges do not overlap (western North America: British Columbia to New Mexico)
• Alaus zunianusRounder eyespots, ivory or beige mottling, more robust build; restricted to Arizona
• Alaus lusciosusNearly identical to A. zunianus; Texas to southern Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas

• click beetle
• eyed elater
• predator
• pine forest
• decomposer
• thanatosis
• biomechanics
• North America

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
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