The Bug That Can Spray Boiling Acid

In this intense close-up video, viewers witness the astonishing defense mechanism of the Bombardier Beetle in action. As a predator approaches, the beetle unleashes a rapid-fire burst of boiling acid—measured at a scalding 212°F (100°C)—from its rear abdomen. The spray is accompanied by audible popping sounds as the beetle's internal chemical chambers mix hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide in an explosive reaction. The superheated, noxious jet visibly startles and repels attackers, showcasing one of nature’s most precise and powerful chemical weapons in real time.

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Bombardier Beetles spray boiling acid (212 degrees f) as a defence mechanism against predators pic.twitter.com/4lqvJhEkLV

— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) May 26, 2025