Of all the interesting insects on our planet — and we have about 1.7 million known species to choose from — the bombardier beetle may be the most interesting. The bombardier beetle has no predators. Bombardier beetles are known for their feisty response to predators. With 1.7 million known species of insects to consider, the bombardier beetle might not be the world's most interesting insect. The Science of Nature , 2020; 107 (4) … But it is very interesting. The team's findings also show that the beetles' explosives rely on chemical pathways found in many other creepy-crawlies. Biosynthetic origin of benzoquinones in the explosive discharge of the bombardier beetle Brachinus elongatulus. ... from being eaten by predators. Bombardier beetles are ground beetles (Carabidae) in the tribes Brachinini, Paussini, Ozaenini, or Metriini—more than 500 species altogether—which are most notable for the defense mechanism that gives them their name: when disturbed, they eject a hot noxious chemical spray from the tip of the abdomen with a popping sound..
The beetle sprays this caustic mixture about 500 times a second, keeping itself just cool enough to avoid damage. The end result was the frogs’ aversion to the beetles. Bombardier beetles can also rotate the end of its abdomen about 270 degrees and aim at nearly anything attacking it. They are considered remarkable because of their ability to shoot a boiling, corrosive substance at predators. The Japanese researchers fed two different species of bombardier beetles to captive toads. Even more impressive, the bombardier beetle can aim the poisonous eruption in …
The evolution and origin of the Bombardier Beetle is a hot topic among scientists and creationists because of the incredible uniqueness and complexity of the insects defense mechanism. However, it will only spray if directly threatened. Experiments: There have been several predation tests in which tree frogs were offered bombardier beetles. If you want to see one of the wonders of the natural world, just startle a bombardier beetle. Common Name: Beetles / Weevils Greek Origins of Name: Coleoptera, derived from the Greek words “koleos” meaning sheath and “ptera” meaning wings, refers to the modified front wings which serve as protective covers for the membranous hind wings. Coccinellidae (lady beetles) -- most adults and larvae are predators of aphids and scale insects, but a few species are pests of agricultural crops (e.g., Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis). When attacked by predators, mostly ants, the beetle unleashes bursts of its hot chemical spray accompanied by audible detonations. The African bombardier beetle, Stenaptinus insignis, has been extensively studied to understand its remarkable defense system. In effect, the beetle can spray in whatever direction the predator comes from, a decided advantage (Dawkins 1985; Eisner 2000; Salleh 1999). More than 40 species of bombardier beetles are found in the United States. Other animals such as … Bombardier beetles are remarkable creatures, truly deserving the attention they have received. Each has blue elytra (wing coverings) and a reddish head and limbs. The reaction reaches boiling hot temperatures, enough to kill other insects and ward off larger predators like birds and lizards. Many animals avoid it and don't try to eat it because of its defense mechanism. The predator hears a loud pop, then finds itself bathed in a cloud of toxins reaching 212° F (100° C). Bombardier beetles can navigate and hunt prey using a combination of eyesight and touch, relying on their antennae and sensitive hairs along their body to pick up vibrations. They synthesize two chemicals — 1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone — and mix it with an enzyme to create a quick chemical reaction. When threatened, bombardier beetles spray the suspected attacker with a boiling hot mixture of caustic chemicals. They earned their common name from their ability to defend themselves against predators by firing a mixture of boiling-hot toxic chemicals from special glands in their posterior. Other noteworthy families include: Cicindellidae (tiger beetles ) -- predators; Dytiscidae (predaceous diving beetles) -- large aquatic predators When confronted, the insects blast their adversary with a boiling-hot secretion of noxious chemicals. But be careful: when the beetles are scared, they flood an … Chemical defenses are found in many living organisms of all shapes and sizes to deter predators, from plants and corals to reptiles and mammals. The bombardier beetle then blasts its would-be predator with a chemical mixture that can reach up to 22 miles per hour at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit ), … Of all the interesting insects on our planet — and we have about 1.7 million known species to choose from — the bombardier beetle may be the most interesting. What’s so special about a bombardier beetle?