kleine bombardeerkever
Brachinus explodens
The kleine bombardeerkever (Brachinus explodens) is a small ground beetle distinguished by its distinctive chemical defense mechanism that produces explosive bursts of hot, caustic chemicals when threatened. This compact beetle features a dark metallic carapace with reddish-brown legs and antennae, typically measuring 8-12mm in length.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Carabidae
Genus
Brachinus
kleine bombardeerkever belongs to the family Carabidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The kleine bombardeerkever (Brachinus explodens) is a small ground beetle distinguished by its distinctive chemical defense mechanism that produces explosive bursts of hot, caustic chemicals when threatened. This compact beetle features a dark metallic carapace with reddish-brown legs and antennae, typically measuring 8-12mm in length. As a predatory species, it plays a crucial role in controlling populations of small invertebrates in its ecosystem while serving as prey for larger arthropods and small vertebrates.
The kleine bombardeerkever faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited range. Climate change is altering the moisture and temperature conditions of its specialized microhabitats, while pollution from pesticides and industrial activities further degrades the soil ecosystems it depends upon.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits moist soil environments including forest floor leaf litter, riparian zones along streams and rivers, and well-vegetated agricultural margins with organic-rich substrates. Requires stable moisture conditions and abundant prey populations in loose, well-aerated soils typically found in temperate deciduous and mixed forests.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The kleine bombardeerkever faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural intensification and urban development across its limited range. Climate change is altering the moisture and temperature conditions of its specialized microhabitats, while pollution from pesticides and industrial activities further degrades the soil ecosystems it depends upon.
Climate change affecting soil moisture regimes
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Industrial pollution degrading habitat quality
Pesticide contamination of soil ecosystems
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). kleine bombardeerkever (Brachinus explodens). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/kleine-bombardeerkever