The Devil’s Coach Horse is a beetle found across Europe. It belongs to the rove beetle family. This beetle has a fierce appearance designed to intimidate, but it is harmless. The beetle can curl its body and lift its head defensively. It lives in gardens and woodlands. There it hunts prey like slugs and worms, which makes it useful to gardeners.
The beetle is around 28 millimeters long with a narrow, curved body. Its wings are short. It runs fast using its six legs. The Latin name “olens” refers to the smelly fluids it releases from white glands when threatened. This gives it another name – the “stinking beetle.”
Despite its looks, the Devil’s Coach Horse does not have a sting or venom. But its bite can be painful from its strong jaws. When disturbed, it lifts its abdomen like a scorpion. This helps scare off predators. The beetle is mainly active at night.
The Devil’s Coach Horse beetle can be found all over Europe. It has also spread to parts of Africa, the Americas, and Australasia. It likes damp conditions in gardens, woods, moorlands, and parks. During the day, it stays hidden under leaves, logs, or stones. Though it has wings, it rarely flies.
Why is it called a devil’s coach horse beetle?
The devil’s coach horse is a species of beetle belonging to the large rove beetle family. The Latin name “olens” refers to its two white stinking glands. It has been associated with the Devil since medieval times. Other names include devil’s footman and devil’s steed.
This beetle raises its abdomen like a scorpion when threatened. It does not have a sting and is generally harmless. The larvae and adults feed on pests like slugs, making them beneficial predators.
These beetles have small wings but rarely fly. They can be found under objects in damp, wooded areas. Though common, they may enter houses to hunt insects and worms. To remove them, deep clean and vacuum regularly.
The male beetles compete by making loud noises to attract mates. They produce clicks, chirps and hisses by rubbing their wings together. The fiercer the beetle’s call, the more dominant he is.
At around one inch long, the devil’s coach horse beetle has an elongated black body and flattened head with sharp pincers. Though capable of inflicting pain, they are more likely to emit a foul smelling liquid or run away quickly. Females lay eggs that hatch into larvae which feed on other soil insects before emerging the next spring as adult beetles.
How do you get rid of Devil’s Coach horse beetles?
The Devil’s coach horse beetle sleeps during day. It comes out at night to hunt prey. It eats worms, slugs, caterpillars, spiders and woodlice. To get rid of it, locate and remove dead animals or decaying matter that attracts them. When the food source is removed, these beetles will leave. The Rove beetle is similar but harmless. No need to remove it. The Devil’s coach horse beetle is about 28mm. It can bite if handled. It raises its abdomen to look like a scorpion and sprays a bad smell. This beetle has had an evil reputation since medieval times due to its appearance. To prevent beetles, caulk windows and insulate doors. The Asian lady beetle does not breed inside. Vacuum up any you find and discard. Borax sprayed on carpets will kill carpet beetles. Diatomaceous earth is a natural carpet beetle deterrent. Seal cracks and crevices where pests enter. Spot treat adult beetles with pyrethrin insecticide. Remove their food sources and they will leave on their own. Beneficial rove beetles eliminate pests. Don’t kill them.
What order are the Devil’s Coach horse beetles in?
The beetle is commonly called devil’s coach horse. Originally classified as Staphylinus in 1764, some still use that name. The Latin species name olens refers to the foul-smelling abdominal glands used in defense. Since the Middle Ages it has been linked to the devil. Other names include devil’s footman and devil’s steed.
They are found worldwide, preferring damp places like forests and gardens. Rarely taking flight, they hide under logs and leaves during the day. Mating in autumn, the female lays one egg in moss or leaf litter. The larvae are voracious predators.
Though looking fierce it poses no harm to humans. About 28mm long, it has a narrow flattened body and large jaws. When threatened it lifts its abdomen up like a scorpion. Despite short wings it runs and hunts ably with its six legs.
A common and widespread beetle, it has no conservation threats. A useful nighttime garden predator, it sometimes enters houses hunting small prey.