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NO. 017Eastern eyed click beetle illustrationIllustration · not shown at life size

Beetles / Insect

Eastern eyed click beetle

Alaus oculatus

AdultA special find

Those giant eyes are not eyes at all! They are spots on the shield behind this beetle’s head.

Let’s look closer

Little clues

Three things to notice.

  1. Two large false eyespots.

  2. Black body speckled with white.

  3. Clicks to flip itself upright.

Out in the world

Where to look.

Around southeastern Wisconsin

Woodland and dead wood.

When to look

Often at night, when click beetles may come to lights.

Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.

A closer look

One clue is just the start.

The big spots are behind the head. Its real eyes are much smaller. Watch without flipping the beetle over.

A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.

Keep exploring

Meet the neighbors.

For curious grownups, too

Read a little further.

Original summaries, with references for deeper reading.

Make a creature disc

Artwork & downloads.

Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.

  • Eastern eyed click beetle — Transparent front PNG

    Transparent front PNG

    76.2 mm canvas · white-outlined labels on a clear background

    017-front.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Eastern eyed click beetle — Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum

    017-height-disc.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Eastern eyed click beetle — Original artwork

    Original artwork

    Unmodified source PNG

    017-eyed-click-beetle.png
    1254 × 1254 px

    Download PNG

  • Editable front SVG

    Common & scientific names · finding clue · editable labels

    017-front.svg

    Download SVG

Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.

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