mac

Grabbed a couple of (not very good) shots of this little monster, around 2 inches long. Took me a while on Google to identify it as a Devil's Coach Horse Beetle. I can only recall seeing it once before here in Co Antrim, many years ago. Possibly more common in other parts of UK/Ireland? Although it has no 'sting in its tail' it can give a painful bite with its strong pincer-like jaws. It also emits a foul smelling odour, as a defensive secretion, from a pair of white glands at the end of its abdomen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocypus_olens). YUCK!!