Interesting insects

Two of the Upper Delaware region’s more striking insect inhabitants made appearances last week. Though very different, both are attention-getters due to their large size and unusual physical characteristics, including eye-like spots that help to dissuade potential predators.

Harmless to humans, the Eastern eyed click beetle gets its name from the sharp snapping sound made by an overturned beetle as it rights itself by flipping into the air and landing upright. This clever trick is accomplished by inserting a fingerlike spine on the insect’s thorax into a groove in its middle thorax (see photo).

The beetle sports two eyespots on its prothorax, the segment supporting its head. The one- to one-and-three-quarter-inch adults deposit eggs in the soil. Larvae grow below ground, where they can cause serious damage to various vegetable crops. Adults eat very little.

One of the giant silkworm moths, the luna moth is revered for its unquestionable beauty. The exquisite pale green wings are decorated with delicate eyespots and can reach a span of four and a half inches. The moth’s body is covered in white fur.

While the caterpillar eats foliage of hickory, walnut, birch and other trees, adult moths do not feed and are short-lived. Luna moths are increasingly rare due to the impact of pesticides and habitat loss.