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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Staphyliniformia » Staphylinoidea » Rove Beetles (Staphylinidae) » Large Rove Beetles (Staphylininae) » Staphylinini » Staphylinina » Ocypus » Devil's Coach Horse (Ocypus olens)
Photo#87917
What am I? - Ocypus olens
Copyright © 2006 Chris707

What am I? - Ocypus olens
Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, USA
November 20, 2006
Size: 1.25 inches
Aggressive when disturbed, quick to display large mandibles. Buds of sprouting wings are just visible on back. I've never seen one before, having been here in Northern California for 20+ years. This one was rescued alive from swimming pool on a cool cloudy day. Seems averse to light.

Images of this individual: tag all
What am I? - Ocypus olens What am I? - Ocypus olens
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Contributed by Chris707 on 20 November, 2006 - 5:46pm
Last updated 29 July, 2007 - 12:53pm

Moved
Moved from Ocypus.
I´m familiar with this (by origin European) species.
… Boris Büche, 29 July, 2007 - 12:53pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Rove Beetles. Will move genus to correct subfamily later.
… Phillip Harpootlian, 22 November, 2006 - 10:01am login or register to post comments

They do fly though.
It's amazing to see long wings suddenly shoot out from under those short wingcovers and the beetle become airborne.
… Jim McClarin, 20 November, 2006 - 8:03pm login or register to post comments

Devil's coach horse.
This is certifiably the 'devil's coach horse,' Ocypus olens, a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. They look much meaner than they are:-) This is a species introduced from Europe and now established in California (and perhaps Oregon as well). Most rove beetles are microscopic by comparison to these giants. They are predatory on other insects, so are usually regarded as 'beneficial.'
… Eric R. Eaton, 20 November, 2006 - 6:22pm login or register to post comments

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