Tuesday 23 April 2024

What's In a Critter's Name? 9. Oil beetle

The Oil beetle (Meloe violaceous) gets its name from its defensive strategy of releasing oily droplets, of bright orange haemolymph, from its joints. This secretion is poisonous, deterring predators and Entomologists.

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What's In a Critter's Name? 38. Piranha

The name 'piranha' originates from the indigenous South American Tupi. It's formed from 2 of their words, namely pira (fish) an...