Devil's coach horse beetle — printable fact sheet

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Devil's coach horse beetle

Ocypus olens

The Devil's coach horse beetle is a large, black rove beetle well known for its intimidating appearance and defensive behavior. When threatened, it raises its abdomen and opens its powerful jaws, mimicking a scorpion, though it is harmless to humans. This nocturnal predator is h…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Staphylinidae

Habitat

Woodlands, grasslands, gardens, hedgerows, and meadows

Diet

Carnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

1-2 years

Weight

0.5-1.5 grams

Scientific name

Ocypus olens

Did you know?

Despite its menacing look and name, the Devil's coach horse beetle is not venomous and poses no real threat to humans.
The Devil's coach horse beetle can emit a foul-smelling liquid from its abdomen as a defense mechanism. Its dramatic tail-raising display is often mistaken for a stinger, but it is actually harmless. This beetle is an important predator of slugs, snails, and other garden pests.

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