Eyed Click Beetle vs Ground Beetle
Eyed Click Beetles and ground beetles are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. An eyed click beetle has two large black false eyespots ringed in white, while a ground beetle has shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen.
Side-by-side comparison
| Eyed Click Beetle | Ground Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Beetles | Beetles |
| Scientific name | Alaus oculatus | Carabidae family |
| Size | 25–45 mm | 5–30 mm |
| Colors | Black, White and Gray | Black and Metallic |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes | Yes |
| Bites or stings | No | No |
| Risk | Harmless | Harmless |
| Key feature | Two large black false eyespots ringed in white | Shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen |
Key differences
- Size: Eyed Click Beetles are larger, reaching 45 mm, while ground beetles top out around 30 mm.
- Color: Eyed Click Beetles are black, white and gray; ground beetles are black and metallic.
- Where found: look for eyed click beetles in woods and along trails and on trees and shrubs; ground beetles turn up in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass.
- Signature feature: Eyed Click Beetles: two large black false eyespots ringed in white. Ground Beetles: shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen.
How to identify eyed click beetles
A long, gray-and-black beetle with two large, eye-like spots on its thorax. When flipped over, it snaps a hinge on its body and launches itself into the air with an audible click.
- Two large black false eyespots ringed in white
- Elongated, flattened body with white speckles
- Clicks and flips itself when placed on its back
How to identify ground beetles
A fast-running, shiny black beetle that hunts slugs, caterpillars and other insects at night. Ground beetles often wander into basements and garages from nearby mulch and leaf litter.
- Shiny black body, often with a metallic sheen
- Long legs built for running
- Grooved wing covers and a narrow head with strong jaws
Which one is more dangerous?
Neither is more dangerous than the other; both are rated harmless on our scale.
Eyed click beetles are harmless; the eyespots are a bluff to scare predators. Ground beetles rarely bite and are beneficial predators; a few release a harmless, bad-smelling spray.
Where and when you'll see each
Eyed Click Beetles turn up in woods and along trails and on trees and shrubs, mostly in spring and summer. Ground Beetles turn up in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass, mostly in spring, summer and fall.
Where you found the bug is itself a strong clue, since these two rarely share the same spots.
What to do if you find one
Eyed Click Beetles: no control is needed. Eyed click beetles are harmless; the eyespots are a bluff to scare predators.
Ground Beetles: no control is needed. Ground beetles rarely bite and are beneficial predators; a few release a harmless, bad-smelling spray.
Biology: beetles
Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between eyed click beetles and ground beetles?
Size: Eyed Click Beetles are larger, reaching 45 mm, while ground beetles top out around 30 mm.
Which is bigger, an eyed click beetle or a ground beetle?
Eyed Click Beetle: 25–45 mm. Ground Beetle: 5–30 mm.
Do eyed click beetles or ground beetles bite?
Eyed Click Beetles do not bite. Ground Beetles do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
Eyed Click Beetles: in woods and along trails and on trees and shrubs. Ground Beetles: in gardens and on plants, in basements and garages and in lawns and grass.