Skip to main content
Close

Devil's coach horse beetle

Ocypus olens

Photo by Noe and Pili
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

36.2378, -6.07275

Field Notes

Description:

It is a long-bodied beetle. At about 25–28 millimetres (1.0–1.1 in). Its wing covers (elytra) are short covering only its thorax, exposing the abdominal segments. The abdominal musculature is powerful and the abdominal segments are covered with sclerotized plates. It is capable of flight but its wings are rarely used. It is covered with fine black hairs.
It is well known for its habit of raising its long and uncovered abdomen and opening its jaws, rather like a scorpion when threatened. This explains one of its alternative names, the cock-tail beetle. Although it has no sting, it can give a painful bite with its strong pincer-like jaws. It also emits a foul smelling odour, as a defensive secretion, from a pair of white glands at the end of its abdomen. (wikipedia)

Species ID Suggestions

Asnillo, The Devil's coach-horse beetle

Ocypus olens (Staphylinidae)

Comments (2)

much much better quality than mine: i suspect i have the same one ( http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7184722 ), had your also a defense-position/pose ?? tell me if you get an id , i know those bugs already longer but dont know the id.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon