A Bombardier Beetle Pheropsophus aequinoctialis (L.) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae): EENY-765/IN1312, 9/2020

Abstract

Pheropsophus aequinoctialis (L.) is a ground beetle in the tribe, Brachinini, native to parts of South and Central America. Ground beetles of this tribe are commonly referred to as bombardier beetles due to their ability to produce a powerful and hot defensive chemical spray directed at would-be predators. This spray is capable of harming humans, resulting in discomfort, physical burns (due to the spray temperature), and possibly contact dermatitis. The adults of this species are nocturnal and believed to be generalist predators and scavengers. However, larval stages appear to depend on an exclusive diet of mole cricket eggs. As such, Pheropsophus aequinoctialis may have potential use as a biological control agent against certain invasive mole cricket pests in North America. This article describes this insects biology, development, and behavior.

Also published on the Featured Creatures website at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/BeneFICIAL/beetles/Pheropsophus_aequinoctialis.html