Chemical Engineering in the Wild: The Defense Mechanism of Asian Bombardier Beetles

Asian bombardier beetles are not only known for their unique defense mechanism of ejecting a hot chemical spray, but also for their diverse habitat and diet. These beetles can be found in a variety of environments, from forests to grasslands, and can even survive in urban areas.

One interesting aspect of their diet is that some species of Asian bombardier beetles are known to feed on other insects, including other beetles. This is a rare example of intraspecific predation, where an organism feeds on members of its own species.