Devil's Coach Horse vs Coconut Hispine Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Devil's Coach Horse | Coconut Hispine Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ocypus olens | Brontispa longissima |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 22-32 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to North America | Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands |
| 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.
Coconut Hispine Beetle
An elongate, flattened beetle with a dark head and thorax and paler brown elytra. It is a serious pest of coconut palms throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific, damaging young fronds.
Did You Know?
Heavy infestations can kill coconut palms, and the beetle has been the target of major biological control programs using parasitoid wasps.