Bombardier Beetles for Kids | Learn about these stinky bugs

Bombardier Beetles for Kids | Learn about these stinky bugs with tags bombardier beetles for kids, bombardier beetles, what is a bombardier beetle, how big are bombardier beetles, reading comprehension practice, high interest reading, learn bright, biology, biology for kids, insects, insects for kids, science, science for kids

Ever heard of a bombardier beetle? Maybe you've seen one but didn't know what it was. This video for kids teaches you some unique facts about these smelly insect. The bombardier beetle is a small insect with a shiny black or dark-brown body, a red or dark-orange head, and a hard shell. Some species have green ridged wings, depending on their habitat. What makes it unique is that it can spray a hot, stinky liquid from the tip of its abdomen when it feels threatened. The liquid can reach temperatures close to boiling! And, of course, it smells awful.

Bombardier beetles have precise control over releasing their spray and can aim it accurately at their enemies. The smell helps scare away predators like birds or other insects that might want to eat them. These smelly bugs usually live on the ground in forests or fields where they can find food to eat, including small insects and plants.

Bombardier beetles also produce audible sounds as part of their defensive strategy. When threatened, some species of bombardier beetles can create noises by rapidly expelling air through their spiracles, which are tiny holes along their abdomen. This sound—pop, click, pop—is an additional deterrent to predators, signaling that the beetle is prepared to defend itself. Combined with their chemical spray, this auditory defense mechanism tells predators to stay far away.

We hope you and your student(s) enjoyed learning about this interesting insect! If you want to learn even more, head over to our website and download one of our many lesson plans about plants and animals, full of activities, worksheets, and more!

Thank you for watching and learning with us! We’re constantly releasing new content and videos, so click that “Subscribe” button and you’ll get notified.

Find and Follow Us Online:

YouTube: @LearnBright

*Teachers and Parents! Did you know? In addition to these great videos, we have also created a library of high-quality and engaging lessons for your elementary aged student(s). Visit us, sign up for a free account, and instantly you'll have access to thousands of lesson plans, learning materials, teaching instructions, activities, and assignments that your kids will really enjoy! We hope to see you soon!

#bombardierbeetle

#insects