![](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool?posttype=photo&canonicalUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photos.opusgroup.us%2Fcontent%2Feastern-eyed-click-beetle%2F&content=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photos.opusgroup.us%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F001%2F221%2F200530-COVID-Spring-May-2020-072%2Flarge.1593987250.jpg&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photos.opusgroup.us%2Fcontent%2Feastern-eyed-click-beetle%2F" title="Eastern Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus)"%3EEastern Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus)%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThose+are+NOT+big+eyes%2C+but+rather+markings+on+the+wing+covers%2C+or+elytra+on+this+beetle.+These+large+spots+look+very+much+like+large+eyes%2C+and+by+their+relative+size%2C+and+be+off-putting+to+many+potential+predators.+In+addition%2C+the+click+beetles+can+release+a+ratchet+mechanism%2C+the+stored+energy+of+which+can+propel+the+beetle+rapidly+away+from+danger.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
Eastern Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus)
Those are NOT big eyes, but rather markings on the wing covers, or elytra on this beetle. These large spots look very much like large eyes, and by their relative size, and be off-putting to many potential predators. In addition, the click beetles can release a ratchet mechanism, the stored energy of which can propel the beetle rapidly away from danger.