Beetle - Quirk Brain

Are Bombardier Beetles Solitary or Social?

QuirkBrain — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 06:32:55 +0000

The bombardier beetle hunts for food at night, and during this time it is usually on its own. It hides or wanders the forest floor waiting for prey to come within range. An interesting fact about bombardier beetles is that during the daytime, however, they can be quite gregarious with […]

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What Preys on the Bombardier Beetle?

QuirkBrain — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 06:18:14 +0000

Because of its daunting defensive abilities, the bombardier beetle has very few natural predators to worry about in the wild. Most potential predators are naturally wary of the bombardier beetle, sensing its danger. But those curious enough to try to make a meal out of the beetle quickly learn that […]

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Are Bombardier Beetles a Threat to Humans?

QuirkBrain — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 06:02:27 +0000

Luckily, people and bombardier beetles don’t cross paths very often. Bombardier beetles live in the woods where there is the ground cover for them to hide. You won’t find any bombardier beetles in the city. If you do come across the bombardier beetle, it can spray you with an acidic […]

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How Long Do Bombardier Beetles Live?

QuirkBrain — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 19:12:32 +0000

The complete life cycle of the bombardier beetle lasts about 1 to 2 years, which is similar in length to many other ground beetles. The adult phase only lasts a few weeks. The beetles emerge from the pupa in the early summer and die very shortly thereafter. They have just […]

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How Did the Bombardier Beetle Evolve?

QuirkBrain — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 18:53:49 +0000

The bombardier beetle’s wondrous defense mechanism begs the question of how it evolved such a unique biological structure so different from other beetles, and in fact all other insects. Over the years, some believers in creationism have used the case of the bombardier beetle to try to prop up their […]

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Do Bombardier Beetles Fly?

QuirkBrain — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 18:18:46 +0000

Bombardier beetles can’t fly. They have wings, but they are just vestiges from their evolutionary past. The wings were used for flight once upon a time in their evolutionary history, but not anymore. Bombardier beetles are graced with a pair of long blue wings which adorn and cover most of their body (see […]

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How Did the Bombardier Beetle Get Its Name?

QuirkBrain — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:23:18 +0000

The bombardier beetle is named after its incredible defense mechanism, which allows it to “bombard” rivals and threats with a cannon fire of noxious, boiling liquid. The bombardier beetle is a carnivore, and rather than passively munching on leaves like many other ground beetles, it eats other insects for food. […]

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How Do Bombardier Beetles Defend Themselves?

QuirkBrain — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:20:14 +0000

The bombardier beetle’s defense mechanism is is one of the most unique and studied in the animal kingdom. It is so incredible that even the origin of its name is derived from it. The bombardier beetle has two separate chambers a reservoirs located side-by-side in its thorax, or rear of […]

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What Do Bombardier Beetles Eat?

QuirkBrain — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 10:28:42 +0000

Bombardier beetles are carnivorous, unlike many other types of ground beetle such as the Japanese beetle which is an herbivore. They eat insects and insect larva, including many species of beetle. The bombardier beetle is nocturnal in its hunting behavior, and spends the dark hours patrolling the ground for other […]

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Where Do Bombardier Beetles Live?

QuirkBrain — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 19:29:29 +0000

Bombardier beetles like to live in grasslands and forests that get plenty of rain. They take shelter in dead wood along the banks of rivers and streams. They can carve tunnels in rotting logs and other organic matter such as piles of leaves. Mild climates are what bombardier beetles prefer. […]

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