Can A Fire Be Started By Bombadier Beetles?

A new study by scientists at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N. J., reveals that bombardier beetles are like skunks of the insect kingdom, spraying boiling, irritating chemicals at predators that get too close. These beetles have plenty of ammo and can rapidly fire their chemicals over and over again. The toxic spray can cause skin abrasions on humans and even burn their skin off if it reaches the eye or respiratory system.

Beetles can open and close valves to their reaction chamber rapidly, producing up to 500 explosive bursts in a second. They can also aim the chemical sprays at prey. Researchers at the institute show how the bombardier beetle concocts its deadly explosives and learn how evolution gave rise to the beetle’s remarkable firepower.

The African bombardier beetle (Stenaptinus insignis) can twist its abdomen to fire its spray in almost any direction in response to a threat, even targeting. The beetle has the infamous ability to synthesize and release rapid bursts of stinky, burning-hot liquid from their rear ends. Just before the toad’s tongue flicks out to snag its victim, the beetle fires its cannon, releasing burning gas. The emissions fire in the bombardier beetle’s caboose, where chemicals mixed in a special chamber violently burst out of the critter in a boiling, noxious, explosion.