LONDON: Bombardier beetle is named as such because of its intriguing and effective way of defending itself from other animals which may pose as their predators. This insect ousts a superheated liquid called benzoquinone. The liquid is ejected forcefully, in a motion that may be likened to that of a pulsating jet.
Endless debates have taken place among the experts in order to shed light as to how the insect defends itself in such way while staying unharmed along the process. The researchers were more than perplexed with this minute insect’s capability to generate the noxious spray.
Whenever the insect feels threatened, it can repeatedly discharge steams from its rear. The foul-smelling liquid is accompanied with ‘gun smoke’. According to MIT graduate student Eric Andt, this defense mechanism is highly effective. He also added that this makes the insect invincible to most animals, both invertebrates, and vertebrates. However, a few predators may have specialized countermeasure against the spray.
Efforts have been exerted by the researchers from MIT, University of Arizona, and Brookhaven National Laboratory and currently they have uncovered the mystery behind the defense mechanism of the Bombardier beetle. It turns out that this small insect, which measures only about half an inch, is more intelligent than any could have thought.
A specialized ultra-fast photography was utilized in order to record the exact happenings while the insect ejects the fluid during explosion. A number of dissections of individuals from this species were also used to corroborate with the data gathered.
