Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle

Quick Take

• A medieval curse supposedly needed only one gesture from this beetle's tail.
• It looks like a scorpion crossed with an ant, but one scorpion trait is missing.
• Its defense against predators is part chemical warfare, part bluff.
• This frightening bug may be quietly helping your garden. Here's why that matters before you reach for a spray.

The Devil’s coach horse beetle has been unfairly associated with evil forces. In the Middle Ages, a superstition arose that the insect could curse a person just by pointing its tail in their direction.

This strange superstition has given rise to the unusual name of Devil’s coach horse beetle (which brings to mind the image of the bug drawing the coach of the devil). But despite its intimidating appearance (and a nasty bite), this insect doesn’t actually pose any real danger to people or property.

Species, Types, and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the Devil’s coach horse beetle is Ocypus olens. The species name olens, which means “smelling” in Latin, refers to the white, foul-smelling glands located on the abdomen. Of the more than 150 species in the genus, this species is probably the best-known and most studied. The family to which it belongs, the rove beetles, is one of the most diverse groups of animals on the planet.

Appearance: How to Identify the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle

Identification of the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle should be easy because of its distinctive appearance. This species is characterized by a long segmented body with strong pincers, a rounded head, two long antennae, and a cocked or raised tail. The wing covers are short and only reach over the thorax. It also has two white glands on the abdomen to release its foul-smelling substance. The relatively long black body (reaching up to 1.3 inches) can make it seem somewhat intimidating. It looks a bit like a strange combination of an ant and a scorpion, but it should not be mistaken for anything else besides a beetle. Unlike a scorpion, it cannot sting.

The entire life cycle of the Devil’s coach horse beetle goes through four distinct stages. This begins with the eggs and the larva. In contrast to the grub-like appearance of many beetle larvae, the Devil’s coach larva looks a bit like a smaller version of the adult. It has a long, thin black body with multiple segments composing the abdomen and brown legs. After the larva hatches, it passes through three distinct molts, becoming progressively bigger each time. It spends part of the winter as a pupa, encased in its transformative shell, and emerges as an adult in the spring.

Habitat: Where to Find the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle

The Devil’s coach horse beetle is native to Europe and northern Africa, but it was later introduced into North America and parts of Australia as well. Adults can be found in damp places such as under stones or in compost heaps, while the baby larvae live mostly underground. Common habitats include grasslands, forests, farmlands, heathlands, and gardens. These bugs are most active between the months of April and October. Their reproductive season normally occurs in the autumn.

Diet: What Does the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle Eat?

The Devil’s coach horse beetle is a predatory animal. It sleeps during the day and comes out at night to stalk its prey.

What eats the Devil’s coach horse beetle?

The Devil’s coach horse beetle is preyed upon by some larger predators such as birds and mammals. When threatened, they curl up their tail and emit a foul-smelling substance that may disgust even a determined predator. They can also deliver a very painful bite with their mandibles, but they do not have the ability to sting.

What does the Devil’s coach horse beetle eat?

The Devil’s coach horse beetle feeds upon a variety of snails, slugs, spiders, worms, caterpillars, woodlice, and other insects. Once it ambushes the prey with its surprising speed, the insect uses its powerful pincer-like mandibles to hold and crush the animal. The baby beetle consumes many of the same foods as the adult.

Prevention: How to Get Rid of the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle

Although they can bite anyone who gets too close, the Devil’s coach horse beetle isn’t generally considered to be dangerous to people. They don’t cause any real economic damage to property either. In fact, they can be a benefit to people by consuming other annoying pests. However, if they are proving to be a nuisance (they can sometimes accidentally enter the home), then you can usually get rid of them with a simple spray or trap. Make sure the spray or trap is equipped to handle this type of beetle; otherwise, it may not work effectively. Fortunately, this is not a bug you would need to worry about very often.