These beetles vary in length from 1/4 to 5/8 inch, with their head,prothorax, antennae, and legs
being a brownish yellow.  Their elytra are grooved lengthwise and are a squarish shape at the
rear end and are a metallic looking powder blue to dark blue.

Bombardiers inhabit moist floodplains of rivers and are also found near lakes, where temporary
ponds form after rainstorms.  They can be found throughout the United States and Southern
Canada, and feed on pollen, berries, and seeds.

This species belongs to a family of beetles called the ground beetles which contains over 3,000
different species in N. America.  They can be found under logs, rocks, and leaves in moist areas.

Eggs are often laid in cells made of mud, twigs, and leaves with the resulting larvae being pred-
atory.  It takes a year to grow from egg to adult, with the adults having a lifespan of 2-4 years.
Adults emerge in spring, after the seasonal rains.

These beetles are named for their unusual defense mechanism---they emit a toxic liquid from
their anal glands which instantly vaporizes into puffs.  This provides a protective screen through
which they can escape their enemies.