New analysis shows how bombardier beetles produce explosive defensive chemical jet
Thursday, April 30, 2015 - 13:00
in Biology & Nature
Bombardier beetles, which exist on every continent except Antarctica, have a pretty easy life. Virtually no other animals prey on them, because of one particularly effective defense mechanism: When disturbed or attacked, the beetles produce an internal chemical explosion in their abdomen and then expel a jet of boiling, irritating liquid toward their attackers.