scorpion-like beetle

[calum.malcolm]

Can anyone identify a beetle we found in East Lothian, UK, today. It was around 30-40mm long, 5-10mm wide, black, with pincers & a scorpion-like tail. When provoked it became quite aggressive, and arched its tail over its back, which then exuded a whiteish fluid.
Before I could count legs etc, the builder who found it gathered it onto a trowel & threw it out into the garden. Can't find it now!
Any thoughts?

[Ukwildlifeo]

sounds like a devils coach horse beetle or one of the other rove beetles. there about that size and often raise there tails when threatened.

[calum.malcolm]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

sounds like a devils coach horse beetle or one of the other rove beetles. there about that size and often raise there tails when threatened.

Thank you - I did a search & that's exactly what it was.

[Paul mabbott]

At that size it's only likely to be Ocypus (Staphylinus) olens.