The Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle is a fascinating and beneficial insect commonly found in gardens, meadows, and woodland areas. This intriguing beetle has some unique features and behaviors that set it apart from most other beetles.
One key characteristic of the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle is its black, elongated body, measuring about an inch in length. It belongs to the rove beetle family and is known for being a beneficial predator, as both its larvae and adult forms feed on a variety of pests, including slugs and aphids.
A distinctive feature of this beetle is its defensive stance, where it raises its abdomen, mimicking a scorpion when threatened. Despite its menacing appearance, the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle does not possess a sting and is generally harmless to humans.
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Basic Information
What Is a Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle
The Devil’s Coach Horse beetle (Ocypus olens) is a species of beetle belonging to the Staphylinidae family, commonly known as rove beetles.
Characteristic Features
Features of Devil’s Coach Horse beetle:
- Black body with elongated shape
- Adults grow up to 1 inch (25mm) long
- Fierce looking jaws, called mandibles
- Capable of emitting a foul-smelling secretion
- Raises tail when threatened, similar to a scorpion
Relation to Rove Beetles
The Devil’s Coach Horse beetle is part of the rove beetle family, Staphylinidae, which consists of over 60,000 species worldwide. As a rove beetle, its characteristics include:
- Long and flexible abdomen
- Short elytra (wing covers)
- Abdomen extends beyond elytra
- Fast running and active predator
Comparison Table: Devil’s Coach Horse beetle vs. Other Rove Beetles
| Feature | Devil’s Coach Horse beetle | Other Rove Beetles |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Up to 1 inch (25mm) | Varies, often smaller |
| Color | Black | Varies, some are also black or brown |
| Mandibles | Fierce and well-developed | Varies, can be smaller and less noticeable |
| Defensive posture | Raises tail, similar to a scorpion | Typically do not raise tail as a defensive mechanism |
Habitat and Distribution
Geographical Distribution
The Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle is native to Europe and can be found in various countries including the UK and Ireland. It has also been introduced to North America and North Africa, but remains less widespread in these regions.
Habitats Preferred by the Beetle
The Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle prefers a variety of habitats, such as:
- Woodland: They are commonly found in woodlands, particularly in damp and shaded areas.
- Grassland: Open grasslands are also suitable as it provides a good hunting ground for these predatory beetles.
- Hedgerows: These habitats provide shelter and a suitable environment for feeding and reproduction.
- Heath and Moorland: Although less common in these habitats, the beetle can still be found in some heath and moorland areas.
Conservation Status
The Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle is not considered a conservation concern, thanks to its widespread distribution and adaptability to different habitats. They are an essential part of local wildlife and contribute to maintaining a healthy ecosystem by controlling populations of pests, such as slugs and snails.
Behavior and Adaptations
Feeding Habits
Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles are predators with various prey items. They feed on:
- Insects
- Slugs
- Snails
They use their pincer-like jaws to catch and crush their prey.
Venom and Defense Mechanisms
When threatened, these beetles employ several defense mechanisms:
- Painful bite: Their strong jaws can deliver a sharp nip.
- Foul-smelling substance: They release a stench from their abdomen to deter predators.
- Curling up: They adopt a scorpion-like posture, raising their tail to intimidate potential threats.
These techniques are effective in warding off predators such as birds and mammals.
Predatory Nature
Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles are highly adaptive and skilled predators. Here are some of their known behaviors and hunting skills:
- Active during autumn: These beetles are most commonly found in gardens and soil during the fall months.
- Stealthy hunters: They move swiftly and silently to surprise their prey.
- Strong jaws: Their powerful jaws are designed to crush and hold onto their prey.
| Feature | Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle | Comparable Predator |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting Season | Autumn | Spring & Summer |
| Prey | Insects, slugs, snails | Insects or mammals |
| Defense Mechanisms | Painful bite, stench, curling up | Stingers, sharp teeth, camouflaging |
| Sensitivity to odor | High | Varies |
In conclusion, Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles are fascinating creatures with unique behaviors and adaptations suited for their predatory lifestyle.
Lifecycle and Reproduction
Egg to Larva
- Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles lay eggs
- Eggs hatch into larvae
Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles start their life cycle as eggs laid by female beetles. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge. These can be observed with their elongated bodies, tiny eyes, and visible abdomens.
Pupation
- Short pupal stage
- Transformation from larva to adult
The larval stage then transitions to the pupal stage, which is comparatively short. During this phase, the larvae undergo significant changes in their body structures, transforming them into adult beetles.
Adulthood
| Features | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 1 inch |
| Legs | Six |
| Activity | Nocturnal |
Adult Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles have compact and sturdy bodies that grow up to an inch long. They possess six legs and are primarily nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night.
Mating
- Involves both males and females
- Occurs during adulthood
The final stage of the lifecycle involves mating between adult male and female beetles. This process is essential for the continuation of the population and the beginning of the next generation.
Interaction with Humans and Environment
Importance in Gardens and Parks
The Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle plays a beneficial role in gardens and parks. Its presence indicates a healthy ecosystem since these beetles feed on other invertebrates, helping to maintain balance among various species.
- Benefits in gardens: They contribute to soil aeration, which promotes healthy plant growth.
- Benefits in parks: By controlling the population of invertebrates, they help maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Pest Control Role
Another advantage of having Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles around is their role in pest control. They are natural predators of various pests, including slugs and snails, which can destroy plants in gardens.
Pros:
- They help control pest populations, protecting plants from damage.
- No need to use chemical pesticides, which can harm other beneficial organisms and the environment.
Cons:
- Like many invertebrates, Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles can be sensitive to pesticides. If chemicals are used in the garden or park, these beetles may be affected as well.
Mythology and Folklore
The Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle has been associated with various mythologies and folklore, especially in the Middle Ages. Its appearance, resembling a small black scorpion, has led to superstitions and symbolism.
- Middle Ages: People in Europe believed the beetle was a curse or an omen of misfortune, due to its frightening appearance.
- Australasia: Some indigenous communities have associated the beetle with spiritual entities or ancestral beings.
| Gardens and Parks | Pest Control | Mythology and Folklore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits | Soil aeration, balanced ecosystem | Natural pest control | Rich cultural connections |
| Drawbacks | Sensitivity to pesticides | Potential harm from chemicals | Negative connotations, superstition |
In summary, the interaction of Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles with humans and the environment is primarily positive through their roles in pest control and maintaining ecosystems. While they have been associated with mythology and folklore, their ecological importance should be appreciated and preserved.
46 Comments. Leave new
I just found one of these guys in my jeans front pocket. I live in the Colorado Springs Area.
It doesn’t seem to like light and keep running to dark spaces before I caught the lil bugger.
Odd I have found no other stories of it being here in Colorado.
But “They’ree Hereee!” heh
i have come across them in scotstoun and yoker and they are quite scary in their body actions i have never seen them before .
my girlfriend has also seen them in duke street train station and they will actually stand their ground and aproach you with their tail up . i couldnt get a picture of the one i seen but i will and the one i seen was atleast 30mm in length if not bigger it was sitting on a fifty pence peice and its tail was hanging over the coin by about 5 mm .
Montrose, CO has TONS of them! They keep gettin into the house and RACE around fast! the do bite, and burrow into the carpet head first and play dead for extended amounts of time! I am not so happy about having to kill them twice :-/
Hi! I am a student at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. In my Organismal Biology class we are required to create a website on a type of insect. Because of copyright issues, permission must be obtained from the original source in order for us to use the images that we will put on our webpage. The page we create will be viewable to the public as part of a larger project at MultipleOrganisms.net. The website will have nothing to do with my school. The image that I would like to use is the one on this page with the title: Devil’s Coach Horse. If you could please reply letting me know if it is okay if we post this picture on our website that would be great! Your time is appreciated.
Thanks,
Megan
Hi! I am a student at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. In my Organismal Biology class we are required to create a website on a type of insect. Because of copyright issues, permission must be obtained from the original source in order for us to use the images that we will put on our webpage. The page we create will be viewable to the public as part of a larger project at MultipleOrganisms.net. The website will have nothing to do with my school. The image that I would like to use is the one on this page with the title: Devil’s Coach Horse. If you could please reply letting me know if it is okay if we post this picture on our website that would be great! Your time is appreciated.
Thanks,
Megan
Megan,
You may use this image.
I just found one of these in my house. In Salem, OR.
just found one in our home on Vernonia Or.
Just found four in and around my home in Seattle WA
Hi everyone my name is Sarah and those little bugs are called devils horse coach, they are not harmful and they will bite if cornered but they are very beniful to thé soil, they also eat snails and slugs and spiders.
Just saw a Devil’s Coach Horse in a classroom at Reed College! Creepy, it raised its tail like a scorpion at slight movement in its direction. Scuttled away quickly to not sure where. Read on wikipedia that they can have a very painful bite, not so nice indoors.
We have handled them and we have never been bitten.
I just came online to try and discover what this odd bug was. It was scurrying along the carpet and I wouldn’t have seen it, if not for my cat’s stare. When I poked at it, it stopped and raised it’s abdomen and tail just like a scorpion, and froze. Very creepy. I’ve never seen a bug like this is my 30 years living north of Boston. I was working in the garden for the 1st time this spring and perhaps carried him inside, along with a deer tic. The Devil’s Coach I found is 15mm and jet black.
I live in Cheyenne, Wy and found one of these crawling in my hair, in the wee hours of the morning. Wasn’t sure what it was then, finally, brushed it out with my fingers. It fell on my pillow. Talk about creeped out! My cat didn’t even want it! After reading some information I know why, if they emit a stench, I wouldn’t want it either. Unfortunately, for this one it did not make it. Killed and down the drain it went. I know better next time… just like the assassin beetles, I will let them go now. Thanks for the identifier, it was a big help.
Just found one in Southeast Idaho!
Just found one in Nampa, Idaho (southwest).
I just found one in my garage In Salem, Or
Have had one of these hanging around our front porch in Vancouver, British Columbia!
These have been in the west for quite some time now. they are known as the devil’s coach horse and are a member of the rove beetle family. their scientific name is Stephilinus Olens. those two “stingers” that you see are stink glands. their powerful jaws can inflict serious pain and are not to be messed with although they make really cool pets.
We found a very large individual on the front porch of the WTB? offices the other night and we moved it to a garden patch where we know that snails and slugs can be found.
Just found one here in Santa Cruz county
Just found one of these in my dining room. Think this is the second one I have seen in Newberg, Oregon. Will release it to the slugs I suppose. Sure looks creepy. And the name doesn’t help much! I did take a photo but not sure how to post it here.
Thanks to your website & this posting here I was able to identify a devils coach horse beetle I found this morning on my patio in oregon. His tail was curled upward & freaked me out as I thought it was some sort of mutated and disabled scorpion. Ha! I put a glass over him to look closer at him. He put his front feet on the glass to look back at me And I felt bad for him. Knowing what he is now I’ll release him in the forest behind my house. He’s creepy but interesting.
what do the larva and pupa look like? found several white “bugs” in my containers that look like these creatures
Alas, we have no images in our archives of the larvae or pupae of the Devil’s Coach Horse.
Just found a teeny tiny one crawling on me outside. It was dark just and had its tail raised just like the adult one I found in my kithen earlier this week. It was smaller than a jimmie sprinkle. Btw I live in Ohio and didn’t k ow what this was utility I got on this site. Thx
Oh my GAWD… Just found one of these in my basement apartment in SE Portland lastnight. Was in the middle of a workout ritual, dancing in front of the mirror. Deep, 90 minutes into this, when I looked down and saw it. Put a heavy glass over it. Boy that ruined my vibe and ended my session, I’ll tell you. NEVER. EVER in my 36 years of life born and raised in Oregon have I seen this demonic looking thing!! I’m too scared to kill it.
Took it to a friend’s this morning and she took it out back and did the deed for me. Sorry.. I didn’t really wanna kill it, but this thing is legitimately terrifying.
Oh my GAWD… Just found one of these in my basement apartment in SE Portland lastnight. Was in the middle of a workout ritual, dancing in front of the mirror. Deep, 90 minutes into this, when I looked down and saw it. Put a heavy glass over it. Boy that ruined my vibe and ended my session, I’ll tell you. NEVER. EVER in my 36 years of life born and raised in Oregon have I seen this demonic looking thing!! I’m too scared to kill it.
Took it to a friend’s this morning and she took it out back and did the deed for me. Sorry.. I didn’t really wanna kill it, but this thing is legitimately terrifying.
It never once raised its tail like a scorpion ? but it did “play ? dead” a few times. Ugh ? I hate killing stuff. I can’t anyways because the popping sounds freaks me out too much. But dude. I had to take it to someone. This thing scared me and bugs don’t freak me out. But this thing legit terrified me. I do feel bad killing it. Should’ve just let it go. But I had to show everyone this crazy thing!!! I’m moving. Never again will I live in a basement apartment. Ever.. too much. I see giant house spiders ? daily, too. Can’t do it.
Found one in my house Michigan
Found one in my backyard!
Found one in Humboldt County, CA. They are spreading.
Just happened upon one on a sidewalk in Tumwater, Washington State, United States. Creepy little guy! I am generally not bothered by creepy crawlies of any sort, but this one came close when I nudged it and it threatened me with its pointy little backside!
Just saw one in Dexter Oregon. Yes, it creeped me out also. Thinking it was a type of scorpion with my old eyes I immediately swatted it. Had I known it was a harmless slug snail eater I would have moved it to my garden. Thank you for this site.
i have lots of them outside in Marcola, OR , and was wondering how they come to be?
I just found the weirdest looking cacoon ! pretty big and doent look like a butterfly cacoon. it somewhat resembles a feather! Tan in color and with wispy ridges. anyway, it got me to wondering…
i have lots of them outside in Marcola, OR , and was wondering how they come to be?
I just found the weirdest looking cacoon ! pretty big and doent look like a butterfly cacoon. it somewhat resembles a feather! Tan in color and with wispy ridges. anyway, it got me to wondering…
Found several of these things coming in and out of the cracks the dirt in back yard, then noticed a FOUL smell and found a dead rabbit not 2 feet from them through my fence in my neighbors back yard. Never seen them before here in Frederick MD. USA. They are nasty looking and apparently love eating decomposing flesh.
Just found one of these in Missoula,MT last night
Found one in Gresham, Oregon but I can’t kill so I took video and pictures. I found it in my bathroom at 2am. It is black, runs from light and has such a slinky, creepy vibe. But there are tons of slugs here and the little guy must have wondered into my bathroom while looking for dinner. He disappeared into the crack of the cabinet after I chased him around with my camera light. I was SO freaked out! Never, in 16 years in Oregon (which has slugs and snails EVERYWHERE) have I seen anything like this before. How do I post a picture?
Use the Ask WTB? link on our site to submit images.
I found one early this morning about 2am in my bathroom…I almost stepped on it! Then I spent the next hour googling and trying to figure out what the heck it was. I’m in Tacoma, WA.
Found one this week in our kitchen. Freaky at first. No smell. Caged him to make sure he wasn’t an invasive, harmful species. Then found another live one on the back patio and a dead beetle nearby. Lived here in Redmond, WA for 25 years and never saw one. Fed him fruit until we learned what he was and his carnivorous diet. Provided him a slug but not much interest. He prefers our fruit slices from the yard. Thankful he will help in the garden. Time to release him.
I just caught my second one of these in less than a week. Both were found, oddly enough, in my finished basement. I live in Northwestern Connecticut. From what I’ve read these seem to be found more commonly on the west coast. Is it odd for it to be here in CT? Do they pose any threat to my home, much like a termite or carpenter ant? Hoping not! Thanks!!! Glen
A similar species in the same genus, Ocypus nitens is “Native to w. Palaearctic; adventive in NA and mostly limited to the coastal ne. US (ME-NY)” according to BugGuide.
Found one in my home in Chicago, Illinois.
Hey was outside trying to fill a few water balloons and surprised to have it crawling on me. Will let it go but tried to figure out what it was. Thanks for some info on this lil’ one. Will part ways happily now. Orcas Island, WA