ORDER: Coleoptera
FAMILY: Staphylinidae
This casual intruder is associated with the forest environment for the whole of it’s life, however they do enter homes seeking shelter. Common in UK around field and forestry areas. Are not known for feeding on regular household food stuffs. Despite their somewhat aggresive appearance they pose no threat to people.
Size, Shape and Colour: These Rove Beetles can grow up to 30 mm in length. They have a segmented abdomen, which is often held upwards in a scorpion like fashion. The body is covered in very fine hairs. The colour can vary slightly from dark brown to pitch black. Some species are winged. The first pair of legs on this species are widened in both male and female.
Biology: The female lays beige coloured, relatively large eggs which are about 3mm long. This occurs in May or June. The larvae will live in the same environment as the beetles and are likewise predacious. By mid summer they are fully grown and pupate in August.
Preferred Foods: What this predator is really looking for are insects, small invertebrates. It also catches maggots and other insect larvae. Will also feed on old decaying forest mushrooms and escaping sap on tree trunks.
Habitat: This is a forest species living in litter and moss, under stones and in the top layer of soil. In rare cases it can also occur in damp spots in open country. These are generally solitary and from time to time will be found wandering into homes for no real known reason.
