Click Beetle vs Orange-barred Sulphur
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Click Beetle | Orange-barred Sulphur |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alaus oculatus | Phoebis philea |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Elateridae | Pieridae |
| Size | 25-45 mm | Wingspan 67-80mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | North America, South 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.
Orange-barred Sulphur
A large bright yellow butterfly with orange bar markings on the upper forewings. Females are more muted with reddish markings.
Did You Know?
Males patrol large territories and engage in spiraling aerial battles with rivals that can last several minutes.