Insect ID needed

[Satchmo]

Would anybody know what this insect is?




It was about an inch long and almost flew into my Dads head. When it landed it did some crazy gyration movement with its tail end. I would have got a closer pic had I not been scared

Cheers

Simon

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Simon.

From your pic it looks like one of the Rove beetles.

[Paul mabbott]

It's a staphylinid, rove beetle - absolutely harmless .... would need to know size and/or see more detail for a better identification. They are very good fliers and don't usually run into people!

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Would anybody know what this insect is?
It was about an inch long and almost flew into my Dads head. When it landed it did some crazy gyration movement with its tail end. I would have got a closer pic had I not been scared

Cheers

Simon

[Satchmo]

Cheers guys. I have had a look at your suggestions and it looks remarkably like a Devil's Coach Horse Beetle which I understand is in the Rove Beetle family:

Clicky

Does anyone know what the Gyration movement of it's tail was? In hindsight I felt it could be aiding in tucking away it's wings (although, that's a complete guess).

Simon

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Cheers guys. I have had a look at your suggestions and it looks remarkably like a Devil's Coach Horse Beetle which I understand is in the Rove Beetle family:

Clicky

Does anyone know what the Gyration movement of it's tail was? In hindsight I felt it could be aiding in tucking away it's wings (although, that's a complete guess).

Simon

Ocypus (Staphylinus) olens is the largest of British rove beetles but without measurments and more detail, I'd just leave it as "a staph"! Yes, wrapping its wings up is a complicated matter, takes a bit of wiggling: since they have smaller elytra wing cases) than most beetles, they have to fold their wings more tightly. Many rove beetles will also lift up their abdomens as a threat - a defensive manoeuvre - and they do excrete noxious substances ...