*This* is Ceti Alpha V!!

October 11, 2014 3:29 PM

Please help me ID this bug. 1.5 inches long. Mean looking.

SW England. Satan himself ran across my carpet.

1.5 inches long. Black. Antennae. Big ant like jaws.

In attack/defence mode, raises his tail like a scorpion.

Is he native? Will he kill me?

The beauty shots:

One

Two

Three

Four

posted by popcassady to Pets & Animals (4 answers total)

Best answer: Looks like a Devil's coach horse beetle

Seems you're not the only one who thought it looked like Satan
posted by FallowKing at 3:33 PM on October 11, 2014

It's native, and unlikely to cause any problems unless you bother it. They eat smaller insects (which might even be beneficial for your household) and aren't aggressive. However if cornered, they can give a painful bite and emit stinky stuff from their tail. I'd probably just leave it be.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 7:30 PM on October 11, 2014

Tonight. While you sleep.
posted by biffa at 12:50 AM on October 12, 2014 [3 favorites]

God I wish I hadn't looked at that pic, my skin is literally crawling now!
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 9:27 AM on October 12, 2014 [1 favorite]