Sunday, 6 October 2019

The Devil's Coach Horse



Ok not a horse, but a beetle. I used to see these a lot as a child and always knew them as Devils Coachman beetles but it has other names too, including cock-tail beetle because of the way it raises its abdomen as you can see in these pictures.

This little critter crossed my path in Delamere forest, it was about 30mm long and with its tail raised you can see the white glands that release a stinky deterrent. 

If you zoom in you can also clearly see its mighty mandibles that are capable of giving a painful bite.

This is a serious predator that feeds at night; moths, insects and invertebrates, slugs and other slimy things make up its diet.

Some adults will survive two winter seasons by hibernating in tiny burrows.


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