bombardier beetle

noun

1. any ground beetle of the genus Brachinus, which ejects a puff of volatile fluid from its abdomen with a popping sound when disturbed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombardier beetle¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

But bombardier beetles are the only ones that “heat it up and spray it,” Attygalle says.

From Washington Post

During daylight hours, hundreds of bombardier beetles of multiple species will congregate together to more effectively ward off any predators not afraid of a lone beetle's toxic spray.

From Scientific American

Last year’s winner, a feral Australian dog called the desert dingo, defeated a Malaysian pit viper, a “solar powered” sea slug, and the bombardier beetle, which squirts its enemies with a caustic, boiling-hot liquid.

From Wall Street Journal

The bombardier beetle can spray its hot brew of toxic chemicals even after bring swallowed, to force a predator into vomiting it back out.

From Scientific American

Toads have been observed vomiting bombardier beetles after eating them, but no one knew exactly why, or how long the beetles survived after their brush with digestion.

From New York Times