Biochemistry at 100°C: Explosive Secretory Discharge of Bombardier Beetles ( Brachinus )

1969/07/04 by Daniel J. Aneshansley, Thomas Eisner, Joanne Widom +1 · 3 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Chemistry · #Insect and Pesticide Research #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Forest Insect Ecology and Management #Explosive material #Zoology #Biology #Chemistry #Organic chemistry

paper · doi:10.1126/science.165.3888.61

openalex publication_date 1969/07/04 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

The defensive chemical spray of bombardier beetles is ejected at 100 degrees C, with a heat content of about 0.2 calorie per milligram.

Citations

• Defensive Secretions of Arthropods
• Die Bombardierkäfer und ihre Explosionschemie V. Mitteilung über Insekten‐Abwehrstoffe

Cited by

• Chemistry of defensive secretions of bombardier beetles (Brachinini, Metriini, Ozaenini, Paussini)
• Toxicity and utilization of chemical weapons: does toxicity and venom utilization contribute to the formation of species communities?
• Bombardier beetle [wikipedia]