What is this bug - Ask Extension
This was on a wall in our home today. It was at least an inch long, body kind of looked hard but also appeared a little fuzzy on the sides. I didn’t...
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What is this bug #866493
Asked April 30, 2024, 3:01 PM EDT
This was on a wall in our home today. It was at least an inch long, body kind of looked hard but also appeared a little fuzzy on the sides. I didn’t see any wings. Maybe had six legs. I was afraid to get to close to our house guest. I looked away, turned back around a minute later and it was gone. I know it’s not the best picture but can you help me?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Carol,
I can't really tell anything from your photo other than that it is a dark object on a light background. I can't even tell if it is an insect.
If it is an insect, based on your description I think it could be a type of rove beetle (Family: Staphylinidae). There are some large dark species in our region in the subfamily Staphylininae. The most common one I see is called the devil's coach horse (Ocyupus olens). They are some of the largest, all-black rove beetles that can be found in our area. Here is a link to a photo of a live one for comparison...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/669443
The devil’s coach horse is a species that is native to Europe, but it was accidentally brought over to North America and became established here. It was first noted in California in the 1930s, but now it can be found in several western states including Oregon. Like most rove beetles, devil’s coach horse beetles are predators that feed on other invertebrates (insects, earthworms, etc.). They are not harmful, but they do make intimidating postures if they feel threatened (raising the tip of the abdomen like a scorpion, and flaring the jaws). If handled roughly, they can bite defensively, but this would not result in any long-lasting effects.
Hope that helps a bit. Feel free to submit another photo if you see another one and hopefully we can confirm my tentative ID.
I can't really tell anything from your photo other than that it is a dark object on a light background. I can't even tell if it is an insect.
If it is an insect, based on your description I think it could be a type of rove beetle (Family: Staphylinidae). There are some large dark species in our region in the subfamily Staphylininae. The most common one I see is called the devil's coach horse (Ocyupus olens). They are some of the largest, all-black rove beetles that can be found in our area. Here is a link to a photo of a live one for comparison...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/669443
The devil’s coach horse is a species that is native to Europe, but it was accidentally brought over to North America and became established here. It was first noted in California in the 1930s, but now it can be found in several western states including Oregon. Like most rove beetles, devil’s coach horse beetles are predators that feed on other invertebrates (insects, earthworms, etc.). They are not harmful, but they do make intimidating postures if they feel threatened (raising the tip of the abdomen like a scorpion, and flaring the jaws). If handled roughly, they can bite defensively, but this would not result in any long-lasting effects.
Hope that helps a bit. Feel free to submit another photo if you see another one and hopefully we can confirm my tentative ID.
