![]() If only we could run as fast as cockroaches, eh? Plenty of us would dodge some pretty grimy situations. This response is almost lightning-quick, as it’s often done in less than 50 milliseconds. Once setae detect a change in air pressure (for example, you are standing above them with a big ol’ boot ready to go in for the kill), they move as fast as they possibly can. These normally exist on the rear-most segments of arthropods and are referred to as cerci (cercus for singular). It has a stiff structure resembling a hair or bristle brush called seta (setae for plural). These insects can glide so quickly they’ll have you questioning your sanity, whether you really saw something, or just hallucinating. When trouble strikes and danger looms, you don’t need to prod a person to flee the scene.Īnd this insect defense mechanism serves them well.Ī house cockroach, for example, knows how to go with the wind. ‘Fleeing’ is an age-old method used to protect oneself. It’s quite the showdown, and you’ll marvel at how creation is setup to protect itself. It creates a boiling, caustic chemical from its body that can kill other insects, like ants.įor live action on how some insects defend themselves using chemicals, I’d suggest watching the video below. This beetle is dubbed the “master of chemical warfare”. That’s right even its very name sounds frightening, and it is. This beetle is also called the “American oil beetle” because of the oily substance it excretes when disturbed.Īnother beetle who’s not afraid of a showdown is the bombardier beetle. This beetle releases a toxic chemical that is said to cause skin blisters. The blister beetle got that moniker for a reason. This brings our attention to another beetle belonging to the same family.Īre you a beetle lover? You may be interested in reading this article about green iridescent beetles. This insect defense mechanism is common in black beetles. Since the predator’s natural reaction is to clean the putrid odor and flavor from its mouth, the beetle would have a window or exit to get out of harm’s way. With the release of a stinking chemical, these beetles induce cleaning in their predators when an attempted ingestion is made. After much digging and comparing the appearance of the tiny beetle I saw, it may belong to the family of stink beetles (pinacate beetles). ![]() Think about the beetle spoken of from the outset. I termed this insect defense mechanism “a window of escape” because that’s exactly what it provides for preys. If you’re trapped in a building on fire, and a window was your only escape, there’s no second-guessing. Once a predator attempts to eat a shore earwig, they are in for a rude awakening.įor more details on this insect defense mechanism in shore earwigs, please read this article (after completing this one, of course).įrom that article, you’ll also learn that stink bugs release a foul-smelling odor when threatened, which is also a defense mechanism.s Their odor is likened to rotting flesh or poop. The shore earwig is an insect producing a nasty odor as a bug defense that’s repulsive to predators. Humans are forgiving, and sometimes may forget some encounters, but most predators who get sick because of a monarch butterfly often keep their distance. How does this insect defense mechanism serve monarchs? The next time a predator spots a bunch of monarchs lounging, it’s less likely to interfere with it. Although the monarch is eventually eaten, it leaves the vertebrate sick (even vomiting) for a time. This toxin gives the insect all the ammunition it needs to inflict a temporary blow on its aggressors when eaten. Animals who’ve had previous unfortunate encounters know not to proceed because of its color.Īs a caterpillar, the monarch butterfly feeds from the toxic milkweed plant. This is a common insect defense mechanism used by many insects that are prone to end up in the stomach of another animal.Īlthough exquisite in appearance, radiating dazzling shades of brown and burnt orange and dotted white patterns, the monarch butterfly is a common example.Įven its brilliant color is a defense mechanism. Let’s consider a few insect chemical defense mechanisms and insects that are likely to put up a fight for their life. ![]() How Do Insects Protect Themselves from Predators Insect Chemical DefenseĪlthough not the only bug defense, many insects create toxic substances to repel and, sometimes, make their predators sick, even if they succumb to an unfortunate death. ![]()
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