🔬 Sciencepublished 2w ago
The beetle that fires boiling chemical explosions from its rear
When threatened, the bombardier beetle initiates a violent chemical reaction inside a reinforced abdominal chamber. By mixing stored hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide with catalytic enzymes, it instantly triggers an explosive exothermic reaction. The mixture flashes to 100 degrees Celsius and violently expels in a rapid, machine-gun burst of scalding, noxious spray. Flexible nozzles allow the beetle to aim this boiling deterrent in virtually any direction.
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