The devil's coach-horse beetle (Ocypus olens) is a species of beetle belonging to the large family of the rove beetles (Staphylinidae). It was originally included in the genus Staphylinus in 1764, and some authors and biologists still use this classification.
Etymology
The Latin species name olens, meaning "smelling", refers to the two white stinking glands on the abdomen. Other names include devil's footman, devil's coachman, and devil's steed. It is sometimes also known as the cock-tail beetle for its habit of raising its abdomen.
One dictionary suggested that the name developed in parallelism with ladybird and its Norse cognates. In Irish, the beetle is called ' or '. The Irish also called it "the coffin cutter." British folklore has it that a beetle has eaten the core of Eve's apple, and that a person who crushes such a beetle is forgiven seven sins.
Subspecies
Subspecies within this species include: it is one of the larger European beetles. Its wing covers (elytra) are short, covering only its thorax, exposing the abdominal segments. The abdominal musculature is powerful and the abdominal segments are covered with sclerotized plates. It is capable of flight, but its wings are rarely used. It is covered with fine, black hairs. It is well known for its habit of raising its long and uncovered abdomen and opening its jaws, The larva lives largely underground, and feeds on similar prey to the adult and has the same well-developed mandibles.