Bombardier Beetle vs Rounded Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bombardier Beetle | Rounded Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachinus crepitans | Calephelis perditalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 5-13 mm | 20-26 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia, Africa | South Texas, northeastern Mexico |
| 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.
Rounded Metalmark
A small reddish-brown metalmark with distinctly rounded wing margins and two rows of metallic silvery spots. It is found in subtropical scrublands near the Mexican border.
Did You Know?
It is so obscure that some populations were only discovered through targeted surveys of rare habitat in the Rio Grande Valley.