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Genus Alaus
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)
Superfamily Elateroidea (Click, Firefly and Soldier Beetles)
Family Elateridae (Click Beetles)
Subfamily Agrypninae
Genus Alaus
Other Common Names Eyed Click Beetles would be appropriate for the genus. Explanation of Names Author of genus is Eschscholtz, 1829. The Century Dictionary (1) says the name is New Latin, from from Greek alaos blind, but allegedly derived from Greek alasthoi, to wander, roam, stray. Numbers Nearctica.com lists 9 North American members of genus: canadensis, lusciosus, melanops, myops, naja, oculatus, oklahomensis, patricius, and zunianus. Size Large: circa 25-45 mm Identification Large click beetles with, usually, prominent eyespots.
Subfamily Agrypninae, Tribe Hemirhipini. Range Temperate North America. A. oculatus is widespread in east: Quebec to South Dakota, south to Texas, Florida. A. myops is found in southeastern United States, associated with southern pine forests. A. patricius is known from the Florida Keys (found mostly in Cuba, Bahamas). A. melanops is widespread in west, including California. There is very limited overlap with A. oculatus in the Black Hills of South Dakota and some nearby areas. The Arizona Eyed Click Beetle, A. lusciosus, is known from that state, plus Texas, New Mexico. Habitat Deciduous and coniferous forests. Life Cycle Larvae are predators in decaying wood, either hardwoods or pines. They are most common in decaying roots. Alaus larvae feed on the larvae and pupae of a variety of insects, but especially beetles: cerambycidae, buprestidae, and tenebrionidae. Remarks Life history and range information of A. myops, A. oculatus, and A. melanops summarized from comments were posted by Paul J. Johnson, Ph.D.,Insect Research Collection, South Dakota State University, to the Yahoo "coleoptera" group November 4, 2003. See original message--but membership in the coleoptera group is required to access.. Print References The Century Dictionary entry for Alaus. (1)
Dillon, p. 312, plate XXXII, describes and illustrates A. oculatus and A. myops. (2)
Pogue p. 279, fig. 362--A. melanops (3)
Arnett and Jacques, p. 197--mention range A. lusciousus
Casari, S.A. 1996. Systematics and phylogenetic analysis of Alaus Eschscholtz, 1829. (Coleoptera, Elateridae). Revta bras. Ent., 40: 249-298. Internet References Univ. Florida Featured Creatures--Alaus spp. Describes three Florida species.
Beetles of Florida--lists A. oculatus, A. melanops, A. patricius (Florida Keys only).
Article on larvae with illustrations, keys.
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists two species for that state: A. oculatus (104 pinned) and A. myops (80 pinned, including 6 of subspecies canadensis). These seem to be the only two widespread species in the genus for eastern North America. Works Cited | 3. | California Insects
By Jerry A. Powell, Charles L. Hogue |  |
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