CLOSED: Bug ID needed

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Hemophobic Kannapolis, NC Jul 26, 2009

Here is a bug I found on the driveway just moments ago. It's about 2 inches long, black and looks mean. What is it?

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Hemophobic Kannapolis, NC Jul 26, 2009

Here's another shot of it. It's interesting if menacing.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 26, 2009

This insect is harmless, it is a very large click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) known as the eyed elater (Alaus oculatus). Its larvae are predaceous on other small arthropods, usually under bark or in wood. See http://tinyurl.com/m3ht3a for images and more information.

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Hemophobic Kannapolis, NC Jul 26, 2009

TY, Suunto, for IDing my bug! So it is a beneficial insect or just harmless?

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 27, 2009

It depends on what specific insects the larvae feed upon. It is at least neutral; probably beneficial, definitely interesting!.

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sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) Jul 27, 2009

I love this guy! My son and I were jogging on a high school track and came across one--almost perfectly camouflaged on the black and white pebbley surface. I wonder if it knew that...

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