devil’s coachhorse

insect

Also known as: Staphylinus olens

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The devil's coachhorse is a type of rove beetle, a large family of insects known for their slender bodies and short wing covers. These beetles are typically found in decaying organic matter and often prey on insects that feed on carrion.12

While most rove beetles are small, the devil's coachhorse (Staphylinus olens) is one of the larger species, reaching up to 25 mm (1 inch) in length. When disturbed, these beetles may raise their abdomen and release a foul-smelling mist as a defense mechanism.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

rove beetle
…largest species, such as the devil’s coachhorse (Staphylinus olens), are usually no more than 25 mm (1 inch). The short, thick elytra protect the second, fully developed pair of flying wings. These functional wings can be unfolded rapidly from under the elytra when the beetle is ready for flight. They…
Read More
…largest species, such as the devil’s coachhorse (Staphylinus olens), are usually no more than 25 mm (1 inch). The short, thick elytra protect the second, fully developed pair of flying wings. These functional wings can be unfolded rapidly from under the elytra when the beetle is ready for flight. They…
Read More