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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Adephaga » Ground Beetles (Carabidae) » Brachininae » Bombardier Beetle (Brachinus)
Photo#601490
Bombadier Beetle - Brachinus
Copyright © 2011 Alex Harman

Bombadier Beetle - Brachinus
Blackhawk Campground, Wisconsin, USA
July 13, 2011
Size: 9 mm
These are a lot smaller than I thought. I found it unusual that even though after I held them there was the brown stuff on my fingers, there was no popping sound or burning feeling. There were three of these under a rock by a lake.
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Contributed by Alex Harman on 15 December, 2011 - 6:21pm

Brachinus sp.
of which B. cynanipenis is the most common Wisconsin species in my collecting experience. Not enough photographic detail to distinguish the roughly three very similar species that could fit your image.
… Peter W. Messer, 16 December, 2011 - 8:53pm login or register to post comments

 
Thank you
are there any parts I could take a picture of to help identify? Or I could probably send you a speciman, I collected 2 of the 3 that were there.
… Alex Harman, 17 December, 2011 - 8:02pm login or register to post comments

 
Brachinus specimen under microscopy
is particularly important for separating members of this difficult genus. I would be happy to receive a sample specimen if you wish accuracy. Otherwise, I might be able to narrow the choices with a ventral (abdominal) view plus a close-up of the basal antennomeres. Coloration of those parts might offer important clues.
… Peter W. Messer, 17 December, 2011 - 10:07pm login or register to post comments

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