Sexton Beetle vs Bombardier Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sexton Beetle | Bombardier Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nicrophorus vespilloides | Brachinus crepitans |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 5-13 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe, North America, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sexton Beetle
A black and orange carrion beetle that buries small animal carcasses as food for its larvae. Both parents care for the brood.
Did You Know?
Parents feed their larvae by regurgitating pre-digested carrion, similar to bird feeding behavior.
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.