Defensive Spray of the Bombardier Beetle: A Biological Pulse Jet
Abstract
The defensive spray of the bombardier beetle Stenaptinus insignis is ejected in quick pulses (at about 500 pulses per second) rather than as a continuous stream. The pulsation may be a consequence of intermittency in the explosive chemical process that generates the spray. The ejection system of the beetle shows basic similarity to the pulse jet propulsion mechanism of the German V-1 "buzz" bomb of World War II.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- June 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.2349480
- Bibcode:
- 1990Sci...248.1219D