How bombardier beetles bomb

Using high-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging the researchers were able to "see" the inside of the abdomens of living bombardier beetles during explosions.

Video: Melanie Gonick/MIT

X-ray imagery: Ortiz Lab
External high-speed footage: "Bombardier Beetles," ©2012 MIT Harold E. Edgerton Collection, Courtesy of MIT Museum
Still image: Charles Hedgcock and Wendy Moore
Music sampled from "Union Hall Melody" by Blue Dot Sessions

[kurtraven]

Just read "Jungle juice" manga about people using insect powers and the professor has this insect power.

[bobobonobo]

Just passin' by from Sam O'nella academy

[allahgamer]

Came from Sam O'Nella Academy how bout u?

[StarofSolomon]

I am here from “Jungle Juice” webtoon lol

[michaelangeloperez]

Who else came here from the manhwa called " Jungle Juice " where the professor has this complex?

[shalomjacobs]

Only two types of people look up creatures like Bombardier beetles.
1. People who are genuine insect enthusiasts
2. People who are reading Jungle Juice

[jbriones]

I came because of Sam O'Nella Academy. Lol damn.

[anthonykf]

Lizard + Bombardier beetle + Bird + Blender = DRAGON


OMFG SOMEONE PLEASE!

[Flowerbarrel]

I'm glad I've never come across one of these bad boys. Getting hit with liquid that's boiling hot and chemical--that would be awfully painful. I don't even want to get hit by normal spraying black beetles.

[vaskadar]

It's a hydroquinone, basically a chemical compound that is a part of sclerotin, which is a base compound for hardening their shells. Hydrogen peroxide is also produced pretty commonly by cells and all that. It's not all that unlikely for glands that some antecedent of the creature was using to embitter itself as a defensive mechanism to improve its defensive mechanism through selection and passing on its genes.

[syedaliabbas]

He uses Boiling Ass Water Jutsu, He makes hand signs so fast no doubt Shinobis exist!

[jpalberthoward]

This has to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I've been fascinated by bugs all my life, and I consider them to be friends. I try not to harm them, even when they're a nuisance. I catch and release my bathtub bugs every morning when I take out the trash, and the big wasp that harvests the pollen from my big cactus when it flowers never bothers me. I just watch him, let him take what he wants, and we get along just fine. Most bugs are actually pretty cool, especially when you look at them with a magnifying glass.

[EternalDucks]

That is a pretty fancy evolutionary achievement. I am sure glad cows, dogs, cats, birds and house flies cant do this. Such a beneficial mutation.

[darrenhalstead]

I see these kind of beetles all over my house, I didn't know they could do this

[gonorrheabreath]

Literally the most bizarre and interesting chemical defenses in all of the world... Oh, wait a minute... Cone Snail too!

[dvdny]

A little more illustration, less talking head would have been better, plus a few slow-mo examples of the spraying action.

[ryanmorley]

I wonder if the idea of the Tank Bug from Starship Troopers originated from this.

[AhmadM-on-Google]

Just saw the inside of the beetle and learned nothing else. But thanks anyways MIT !

[siobhanoneill]

I got sprayed by one of these things yesterday and i can still taste the spray on my tongue and skin.
How do i get rid of it

[ramohino]

Bombardier Beetle… The bombardier beetle has evolved a cannon in its caboose, where chemicals mixed in a special chamber violently burst out of the critter in a boiling, noxious, pungent spray that can repel even the most daring of predators.