Best time to see: Mar to end Oct

Key facts

Rove beetles have long bodies and short wing cases, with the wings folded inside

The devils coachhorse is the largest and most common, sometimes emitting a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed

They live almost anywhere with cover, including gardens and houses, predating mainly small invertebrates

Recognition

A long thin grey-black beetle, looking and acting like an oversized earwig; length 25mm

Found almost anywhere with some cover and small insects as food, including gardens and damp houses

Eats spiders and smaller beetles as well as any small animals it can scavenge

Lifecycle

Round white eggs are laid into soil and hatch in a few days

Larvae are smaller, brown versions of the adults and are also carnivorous

They form a pupa in leaf litter or moss to over-winter, hatching the following spring