Devil's Coach Horse
Ocypus olens
This record describes Ocypus olens (species). Recorded family: Staphylinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Ocypus olens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil's_coach_horse_beetle.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Staphylinoidea
- Family
- Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Staphylininae
- Tribe
- Staphylinini
- Genus
- Ocypus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This beetle is found in damp conditions in most natural environments including: woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens, where it relies on decaying natural matter.
Seasonal Activity
April to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Like most other rove beetles it is fast moving and capable of flight, though it is rarely seen flying.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ocypus olens. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Devil's Coach Horse (10)
Photo credits: (c) leapb, some rights reserved (CC BY). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/404479817. Original downloaded bytes; proportional display only
Frequently Asked Questions About Devil's Coach Horse
How big is Devil's Coach Horse?
17mm to 33mm (0.66" to 1.29")
Where is Devil's Coach Horse found?
Habitat: This beetle is found in damp conditions in most natural environments including: woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens, where it relies on decaying natural matter.
When is Devil's Coach Horse active?
Devil's Coach Horse: seasonal activity - April to October..
What is the life cycle of a Devil's Coach Horse?
Like most other rove beetles it is fast moving and capable of flight, though it is rarely seen flying.