Devil's Coach Horse vs Clown Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Devil's Coach Horse | Clown Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ocypus olens | Hister unicolor |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 22-32 mm | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Scavengers |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to North America | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Devil's Coach Horse
A large, matt-black rove beetle that raises its tail like a scorpion when threatened. It has powerful jaws and emits a foul smell.
Did You Know?
In medieval Ireland it was believed to have the power to curse a person it pointed its tail at.
Clown Beetle
A small, shiny black beetle with a compact, rounded body. It is a predator of fly larvae found in dung and decaying matter.
Did You Know?
It can retract its legs and antennae into grooves on its body, making it nearly spherical.