Bombardier Beetle
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Bombardier Beetle
Invertebrate
A ground beetle with a super-powered defence mechanism that shoots boiling hot spray from its abdomen when threatened.
💡 Fun Facts
- The spray is not just hot; it's also very stinky!
- The beetle can aim its spray in almost any direction.
- It stores two special liquids in its body and mixes them to create the explosion.
Name Story
Brachinus crepitans
means “The beetle that goes pop”
What does its name mean?
- Brachinus — probably 'short'Greek brachys — likely for its short wing-cases
- crepitans — crackling, poppingLatin
When it's alarmed, this beetle fires a boiling, stinging spray from its tail end with a sharp popping crackle — and 'crepitans' names that little explosion exactly.