Bombardier Beetle vs Mountain Prosimulium
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bombardier Beetle | Mountain Prosimulium |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachinus crepitans | Prosimulium mixtum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 5-13 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia, Africa | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Mountain Prosimulium
An early-season black fly of cold mountain streams in North America. Larvae develop in small headwater streams during late winter and early spring.
Did You Know?
Adults emerge so early in spring that they are often the first biting flies encountered by hikers each year.