Subject:  What kind of bug is this??
Geographic location of the bug:  North New Jersey
Date: 06/04/2020
Time: 06:59 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi. This bug was found on my daughters chair at a park we were at. They started screaming. I know why once I saw it.
How you want your letter signed:  K

Eyed Elater

Dear K,
This distinctive beetle is an Eyed Elater, the largest North American Click Beetle.  It is considered harmless to humans, and its large false eyespots will deter a large predator into thinking the Eyed Elater might be a much larger threat.

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Subject:  Unknown bug
Geographic location of the bug:  South Carolina
Date: 03/29/2020
Time: 05:40 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Found this bug in our house today. What is it?
How you want your letter signed:  Leta Wellman

Eyed Elater

Dear Leta,
This is an Eyed Elater, the largest Click Beetle in North America.  Is is harmless, and it poses no threat to your home.

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Subject:  I can’t find this on inaturalist
Geographic location of the bug:  Arizona/Sonoran border
Date: 07/27/2019
Time: 01:09 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  @ Coronado after a couple of rains.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29543844
About 2inches long.Can Fly
BTW, how come I can’t sign in no more?
How you want your letter signed: ptosis

Apache Click Beetle

Dear ptosis,
This gorgeous beetle is an Apache Click Beetle, Chalcolepidius apacheanus, which we identified on BugGuide.  When we posted images of this strikingly beautiful beetle long ago, we pondered the lack of a common name on BugGuide at the time, and we proposed Apache Click Beetle as the common name based on its existing scientific name.  We don’t understand your question:  “BTW, how come I can’t sign in no more?”  Please clarify.

Apache Click Beetle

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Subject:  Beetle or Roach?!
Geographic location of the bug:  Stratford, NJ (south NJ)
Date: 07/21/2019
Time: 11:14 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hello!
My wife and I just moved into a house and immediately saw a single, dying roach. We saw other, similar looking bugs but our exterminator has told us (through email) that they are ground beetles. I don’t entirely trust him, as his company supposedly will come back “for free if needed.” What do you think? I sent three different bugs on different occasions that I’ve seen. Thanks in advanced!
How you want your letter signed:  Tom W

Click Beetle

Dear Tom,
This is a Click Beetle in the family Elateridae, but we do not know the species, and it poses no threat to your home or its residents.  Many Click Beetles accidentally enter the home when they are attracted to lights.

Thanks Daniel! Really appreciate you taking the time to get back to me. Have a great day!
Best,
Tom Wexler

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Subject:  Flying bug
Geographic location of the bug:  New Milford, CT
Date: 06/09/2019
Time: 01:10 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  This big guy flew into me as I was walking by and clung to my shirt. I brushed him off and I may have killed him!
How you want your letter signed:  Jackie

Eyed Elater

Dear Jackie,
The Eyed Elater is harmless.  It is the largest Click Beetle in North America.

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Subject:  Bug with cool “fake” eyes
Geographic location of the bug:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date: 06/04/2019
Time: 11:21 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Dear Bugman,
This bug has been hanging out on the drop ceiling in my office going on two days now. From a distance I assumed it would be a roach, but was pleasantly surprised on closer inspection. This bug is about 5 cm long.
How you want your letter signed:  Curious Veterinarian

Eyed Elater

Dear Curious Veterinarian,
The Eyed Elater, the largest Click Beetle in North America, has very effective protective mimicry.  The false eyespots on the Eyed Elater are thought to deter predators like birds that will pass up a nutritious meal after perceiving that it might be a predator like a snake rather than a tasty morsel.

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