Taxonomy
Ocypus olens, shown here in a large scale model, measures 22-32mm.
The devil’s coach horse, Ocypus olens, is the largest rove beetle in the UK, measuring 22-32mm.
Rove beetle characteristics:
- Extended exposed abdomen, covered by sclerotized (hardened) plates and composed of 8 segments (tergites).
- Characteristic defence posture which is aided by extremely powerful abdominal musculature.
- Shortened wing cases (elytra) which cover the thorax, concealing a folded second pair of wings which in most species enables flight.
- Uniformly black body covered in fine, black hairs (setae).
Synonymy
Staphylinus olens is a synonym of Ocypus olens (O F Müller, 1764).
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Glossary
Synonym
In taxonomy, synonyms are different scientific names that refer to the same organism or group of organisms.