devils coach horse

nightshade · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 02:13 PM

i have not seen a devils coach horse (staphylinus(ocypus)olens) about for ages
these unusual and active beetles where a constant source of awe as they raised their abdomen and opened their jaws in a threatening manner ,although nocturnal
they could often be seen during daylight

Fourwings · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 07:10 PM

I've only seen two recently, unfortunately both times I was at work & didn't have a camera with me, but I know what you are saying, there usually far more of these fantastic beetles about!

henrya · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 12:16 PM

A couple of colleagues have recently told me that they have seen Devil's Coach Horses in the last week or so (in more or less the same area, near work (in Cambridgeshire)).

henrya

pheonix · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 04:01 PM

hi, im new to the site and finding very interesting just reading old posts, but this is the first i can actually positivly reply to, i work for an ecological consultancy and on of the jobs ive been on recenetly was a reptile survey just outside of oxford. in an area of unimproved rough grassland i have seen proberbly hundreds of these beetles under the tins put down for reptiles, right up until a week ago when the job finnished.

nightshade · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 07:03 PM

I am glad that there are still some around,if anyone has a good picture of one
Iwould love to see it

hamptonmddx · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2005, 08:49 PM

I have seen 3 of these in the last few days. In fact I didn't know what they were which is how I ended up on this site. The size and tail behaviour gave them away. This bunch are in South Wales just outside Caerleon in the country. I'll see if I can get a picture next time I see one....