Bombardier beetle

The bombardier beetle is found in woodlands and gardens. It lays its eggs in leaf litter and similar environments, where its grubs will have food ready to hand when they hatch.

It can be recognised from its dark abdomen (the rest being yellowy-brown in colour) and its long antennae.

When they hatch, the grubs grow quickly and shed their skin as they grow bigger before they pupate, after which they emerge in the adult state.

Bombardier beetles cannot fly, but they defend themselves by emitting a burning liquid from their rear ends. The chemicals they need for this liquid are stored in the abdomen and mixed in a special chamber before being sprayed at a would-be predator.

© John Welford