Mysterious Black Bug That Attacks - Ocypus olens

O.olens distribution.

The species has been recorded first in California in the 1970ies, I believe, and it may be that it only recently spread into Oregon.

… Boris Büche, 3 September, 2007 - 4:51am

One of the bugs bit my neck.S

One of the bugs bit my neck.Should i be worried?

… hello, 19 May, 2013 - 8:25am

No.

It is not venomous and if it didn't draw blood then there is no pathway for normal infection.

… Jim McClarin, 19 May, 2013 - 8:41pm

OK because it didnt draw bloo

OK because it didnt draw blood.

… hello, 22 May, 2013 - 12:57pm

ok because it didnt draw bloo

ok because it didnt draw blood

… hello, 22 May, 2013 - 12:55pm

no it didnt draw blood so i s

no it didnt draw blood so i should be alright

… hello, 22 May, 2013 - 12:53pm

The "butt fluid"

is defensive chemicals. Although there is one rove beetle genus that emits chemicals strong enough to blister the skin, it is not this genus. Just wash your hands before putting them in your mouth :-)

… Jim McClarin, 1 September, 2007 - 9:13am

Rove Beetle?

You mentioned the butt fluid, and a possible pinch from the pincher....any other problems that these bugs may cause? Damage to houses? Where do they come from? I've never seen one, and then out of nowhere I have 4 within a 2 day period. Thank you for any information that you may have.

Nick

… Nick, 1 September, 2007 - 5:51pm

Hi Nick,

Rove beetles are a good thing to have around.

Very likely a female laid her eggs on your property, the larvae hatched and prospered, eating small insects and other invertebrates, pupated, and emerged at about the same time, accounting for your little population explosion. Both adults and larvae are predacious on other insects. Some rove species eat fungus and fungus gnat maggots but none eat wood or vegetable gardens (athough a few tiny odd-looking ones consume pollen).

… Jim McClarin, 1 September, 2007 - 6:35pm

Species identified

Size, and totally opaque dorsal surface exclude similar species.

… Boris Büche, 1 September, 2007 - 4:09am

Ocypus?

I agree. Possibly, it belongs to the genus Ocypus or Tasgius, previously considered as subgenera of Staphylinus.

Confront at: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=ocypus&search=Search

… Francesco Vitali, 1 September, 2007 - 12:53am

Rove beetle

A beetle, family Staphylinidae. Harmless, except for a slight pinch from the mandibles.

… Brad Barnd, 31 August, 2007 - 11:45pm