Quinone-defense

Guides

• Brachinus costipennis

  Brachinus costipennis is a species of bombardier beetle in the ground beetle family Carabidae, first described by Motschulsky in 1859. As a member of the genus Brachinus, it possesses the characteristic chemical defense system that defines this group: the ability to spray a hot, noxious mixture of benzoquinones from the abdomen when threatened. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.

  bombardier-beetlechemical-defenseground-beetleCarabidaeBrachininaeNorth-AmericaCentral-Americapygidial-glandquinone-defense

• Ulomoides

  Chinese beetle, Chinese weevil, peanut beetle, cancer beetle, asthma beetle, gorgojo chino

  Ulomoides is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) native to Asia. The most well-known species, Ulomoides dermestoides, has spread globally due to human cultivation for alleged medicinal purposes. Members of this genus are stored product pests that feed on grain and grain products. The beetles produce defensive quinones that have cytotoxic properties.

  darkling-beetlestored-product-pestfolk-medicinemedical-entomologyquinone-defenseinvasiveAsia-native