Odd Defense Tactics

Because of their relatively small size, bugs need an effective strategy to keep predators at bay. Most accomplish this by stinging, biting, or having hard exoskeletons, but some have very unusual ways to evade their enemies. One example is the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula (Theraphosa sp.). These enormous spiders are able to rub their massive fangs together to produce an audible hissing noise to scare off attackers. On top of that, Goliath Birdeaters, along with many New World tarantulas (New World meaning from the Americas, Old World meaning coming from everywhere else) possess the ability to “kick hairs”. When threatened, they will rub their back legs rapidly on their abdomen, flinging off a cloud of miniscule barbed hairs into the air. These hairs, known as Urticating Hairs, float in a cloud around the tarantula and stick in the eyes, nose, and skin of the predator, causing itching and redness. Some of the larger species, particularly those in the genus Theraphosa, have Urticating Hairs that feel like fiberglass! Ouch! Tarantulas in the genus Avicularia, commonly known as the Pinktoe Tarantulas, have another weird way that they defend themselves. If threatened, these spiders can shoot a stream of excrement at their attackers! This tactic is as effective as it sounds. Gross!                                              The Bombardier Beetle truly lives up to its name. When attacked, this sharpshooter fires boiling liquid out of its abdomen at its enemies! They can do this thanks to a special chemical reaction chamber located in the beetle’s abdomen. This strategy is so effective that there is even a species of beetle, Galerita bicolor, that mimics the Bombardier Beetle so that predators confuse G.bicolor with its lookalike gunslinger and leaves it alone.                                                        Have you ever picked up a fuzzy-looking caterpillar and then have your arm break out in a rash? This is because the “furs” are actually venomous spines! Many caterpillars have these spines, although they are mostly moth caterpillars that use this tactic.                                                                                                                                                                                       These are just a few of the amazing ways that some bugs use to live to jump, fly, or crawl another day.