What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Devil’s Coach Horse

Posted by September 5th, 2005 at 12:00 am

Categories

Beetles

had a good look at your site…
…and searched under things mentioning scorpions but could find nothing like the bug shown in the attached pictures. This tiny little fellow had fallen into the pool and climbed up onto the skimmer paddle to dry. The tail is raised like a scorpion but that’s the only similarity. The tail also sat flat but it seemed to prefer having it raised like this most of the time. I scooped it out and let it wander away on the lawn.
Best wishes,
Ian

devils coachhorse pool Devils Coach Horse

You are a kind man Ian.
You will be rewarded by having this species of Rove Beetle, originally a European immigrant, eat the snails and slugs in your yard. This beetle is commonly known as a Devil’s Coach Horse, Staphylinus olens, and though it appears threatening, it is harmless.

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