. Bulletin. Science. BOMBARDIER BEETLE NOZZLE 29. Fig. 5. Spray nozzle with clearly visible papillae (white arrows) and apertures on opposing side (black arrows). Scale dots = 50 microns. The flexible abdominal tip of Brachinus can bend around in all directions even spraying directly forward, in an anterior direction over the dorsal surface, with help from special deflection plates or paddles (Dean et al. 1990; Eisner and Ane- shansley 1999). These hardened cuticular plates, acting as deflectors, are located just outside the opening of the reaction chamber, and give directional control to the
. Bulletin. Science. BOMBARDIER BEETLE NOZZLE 29. Fig. 5. Spray nozzle with clearly visible papillae (white arrows) and apertures on opposing side (black arrows). Scale dots = 50 microns. The flexible abdominal tip of Brachinus can bend around in all directions even spraying directly forward, in an anterior direction over the dorsal surface, with help from special deflection plates or paddles (Dean et al. 1990; Eisner and Ane- shansley 1999). These hardened cuticular plates, acting as deflectors, are located just outside the opening of the reaction chamber, and give directional control to the discharge by changing their angle of deflection. Exactly how these deflectors are used to direct the spray is not understood. The spray of beetles in the tribe Brachinini, has been shown to deter several natural predators (Crowson 1981; Eisner 1958, 1970; Eisner and Aneshansley 1999). These include the ant Pogon- omyrmex badius, which "retreated swiftly,'' and commenced to have a series of "short, intermittent seizures, abrupt in onset, during which the legs stretched outward and flailed ineffectually against the substratum, greatly hampering and often completely stalling forward movement" (Eisner 1958). Also observed to be deterred was the beetle Galerita janus, which when sprayed, fled "hastily for a few centimeters, it suddenly became sluggish and circled aimlessly ..." (Eisner 1958). In addition, the spray was also effective against the praying mantis, Hierodula patellifera and the spider, Lycosa helluo which was "brought to a sudden ; Materials and Methods Twenty Brachinus favicollis Erwin were collected by hand from underneath rocks lying along a streambed in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Southern
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