Rove beetle (likely a devil’s coach horse)

Moist soil, leaf litter, gardens, compost, and beneath stones or logs, especially in temperate regions.

A predatory scavenger that eats small insects, larvae, worms, slugs, and other soft-bodied invertebrates.

Mostly nocturnal and often hides by day under debris. When threatened, it raises its abdomen and opens its jaws; adults overwinter and reproduce in damp ground or litter.

Beneficial as a predator of garden pests and decomposer-associated invertebrates. It does not sting, but can deliver a painful bite and may release irritating defensive chemicals if handled.