Bombardier Beetle vs Blackburn's Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bombardier Beetle | Blackburn's Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachinus crepitans | Megalagrion blackburni |
| Order | Coleoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Carabidae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 5-13 mm | 30-40 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia, Africa | Oceania (Hawaii) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Bombardier Beetle
Defends itself with a boiling-hot chemical spray ejected from its abdomen at over 100°C. The reaction involves mixing hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide.
Did You Know?
The bombardier beetle fires its chemical spray at 100°C in rapid pulses of about 70 per second, allowing its internal reaction chamber to avoid exploding.
Blackburn's Damselfly
A Hawaiian endemic damselfly historically found on multiple islands but now restricted to a few locations. It breeds in streams and seeps in native forests. It is one of the most threatened members of the remarkable Megalagrion radiation.
Did You Know?
Hawaiian Megalagrion damselflies have evolved to breed in an extraordinary range of habitats, from streams to tree holes to damp leaf litter.