Mechanistic origins of Bombardier beetle (Brachinini) explosion-induced defensive spray pulsation

Eric M. Arndt, Wendy Moore, Wah Keat Lee, Christine Ortiz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bombardier beetles (Brachinini) use a rapid series of discrete explosions inside their pygidial gland reaction chambers to produce a hot, pulsed, quinone-based defensive spray. The mechanism of brachinines' spray pulsation was explored using anatomical studies and direct observation of explosions inside living beetles using synchrotron x-ray imaging. Quantification of the dynamics of vapor inside the reaction chamber indicates that spray pulsation is controlled by specialized, contiguous cuticular structures located at the junction between the reservoir (reactant) and reaction chambers. Kinematics models suggest passive mediation of spray pulsation by mechanical feedback from the explosion, causing displacement of these structures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)563-567
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume348
Issue number6234
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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