Devil's Coach Horse vs Longhorn Crazy Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Devil's Coach Horse Longhorn Crazy Ant
Scientific Name Ocypus olens Paratrechina longicornis
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Staphylinidae Formicidae
Size 22-32 mm 2.5-3 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, introduced to North America Pantropical, Global in heated buildings
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.

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Did You Know?

In medieval Ireland it was believed to have the power to curse a person it pointed its tail at.

Longhorn Crazy Ant

A small dark brown ant with extremely long antennae and legs that moves in rapid, jerky patterns. It is one of the most widely distributed tramp ant species in the world.

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Did You Know?

Its original native range is unknown because it has been spread by human commerce for so long.