Morphology
The Bombardier beetle. From Christwire.org
Being an insect, the bombardier beetle has three tagmata, the head, thorax, and abdomen (Merritt, 2012). This beetle uses its front wings, its elytron, as a type of shell. The wings beneath the elytron are rendered practically useless for this beetle (‘The Bombardier Beetle’, 1999). Due to this, the bombardier beetle relies on its chemical spray to defend itself and bide time while it escapes from stressful situations.
With a body size range between 12mm- 18mm this insect can fit a sophisticated internal system (Poetker, 2003). This system is made up of two chambers the reservoir and the reaction chamber (Beheshti and Mcintoch, 2007). The reservoir is enveloped in muscle and a thin wall in order for compression of the chamber, to operate the system (Eisner et al. 2000). The reaction chamber however, is rigid and has a thick wall (Beheshti and Mcintoch, 2007). Joining these two chambers is a tight valve, which keeps each compartment sealed (Beheshti and Mcintoch, 2007). It is the contents of these cavities that create the successful chemical reaction (Juliano, 1985). The first chamber (reservoir) holds an aqueous solution of hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide. The outer chamber (vestibule) holds a mixture of catalases and peroxidases (Aneshansley et al. 1969). Both chambers open at the tip of the abdomen (‘The Bombardier Beetle’, 1999). The abdomen of this beetle allows for it to spray in all different directions (‘The Bombardier Beetle’, 1999) with a range of 270 degrees (Poetker, 2003).
Other than its specialized organs, the bombardier beetle’s internal system is consistent with most other beetles and insects. These include an open circulatory system and a segmented heart. Along with this, the bombardier beetle has the basic beetle external morphology. This includes an exoskeleton and 6 legs (Merritt, 2013).
With a body size range between 12mm- 18mm this insect can fit a sophisticated internal system (Poetker, 2003). This system is made up of two chambers the reservoir and the reaction chamber (Beheshti and Mcintoch, 2007). The reservoir is enveloped in muscle and a thin wall in order for compression of the chamber, to operate the system (Eisner et al. 2000). The reaction chamber however, is rigid and has a thick wall (Beheshti and Mcintoch, 2007). Joining these two chambers is a tight valve, which keeps each compartment sealed (Beheshti and Mcintoch, 2007). It is the contents of these cavities that create the successful chemical reaction (Juliano, 1985). The first chamber (reservoir) holds an aqueous solution of hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide. The outer chamber (vestibule) holds a mixture of catalases and peroxidases (Aneshansley et al. 1969). Both chambers open at the tip of the abdomen (‘The Bombardier Beetle’, 1999). The abdomen of this beetle allows for it to spray in all different directions (‘The Bombardier Beetle’, 1999) with a range of 270 degrees (Poetker, 2003).
Other than its specialized organs, the bombardier beetle’s internal system is consistent with most other beetles and insects. These include an open circulatory system and a segmented heart. Along with this, the bombardier beetle has the basic beetle external morphology. This includes an exoskeleton and 6 legs (Merritt, 2013).
Internal System which operates the chemical spray. From Beheshti, N. and Mcintoch, A. 2007.
Life Cycle
The steps of beetle development. From Animal Corner
There are no specific locations of habitats that this beetle lays its eggs. The only requirements are a safe distance from most predators, and a close distance to a decent food source. At times the location is on a live food source (Saska & Honek, 2004). From the eggs, the larval stage begins. During this stage the larvae gains nutrients from the food and may at times molt. After the last time it sheds its skin, it changes into a pupa, and with a final shed of it skin it becomes an adult beetle. During its time as an adult it has its opportunity to mate and begin a new life cycle by laying its own eggs (Poetker, 2003).
