Phosphuga

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Phosphuga is a European group of carrion beetles with only one species, Phosphuga atrata. The beetle grows up to about 15 mm long and has a long neck it uses to reach into snail shells, from which it can spray a digestive fluid. It eats live snails, insects, earthworms, and carrion. Newly moulted beetles are brownish, while older ones are black. The larvae are black and flattened and also eat snails. They pupate in the ground. Adults cannot fly because they lack flight muscles. They are widespread but seldom seen because they hunt at night and hide under bark during the day. When disturbed, they spray a yellow liquid and pull their head under their shield. Range: Europe (including the UK) and large parts of Asia, from Russia to Japan, and into the Middle East and India; they have been introduced to Iceland.