Click Beetle vs Harris's Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Click Beetle | Harris's Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alaus oculatus | Dytiscus harrisii |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Elateridae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 25-45 mm | 33-40 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Click Beetle
Has a special mechanism that allows it to snap its body with a click, launching itself up to 30 cm into the air. The large eyespots on its thorax startle predators.
Did You Know?
Click beetles launch themselves into the air without using their legs — they use a peg-and-groove mechanism on their thorax that releases like a spring, reaching accelerations of 400g.
Harris's Diving Beetle
A large North American diving beetle found in cold, clear lakes and bog ponds. It is one of the largest diving beetles on the continent.
Did You Know?
It can remain submerged for extended periods by trapping air under its elytra, which it uses like an external lung.