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So complex and exact is the defence mechanism of the bombardier, involving secretion of hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide in a 'reaction chamber' inside the very bowels of the beetle, that many creationists have championed the bug as evidence that [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary theory]] is a fallacy.<ref>Bomby the Bombardier Beetle, by Hazel Rue, ISBN 0-932766-13-7</ref><ref>Armitage, Mark H. and Mullisen, Luke, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1591/ Preliminary observations of the pygidial gland of the Bombardier Beetle, Brachinus sp.] Journal of Creation 17(1):95–102, April 2003</ref>

So complex and exact is the defence mechanism of the bombardier, involving secretion of hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide in a 'reaction chamber' inside the very bowels of the beetle, that many creationists have championed the bug as evidence that [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary theory]] is a fallacy.<ref>Bomby the Bombardier Beetle, by Hazel Rue, ISBN 0-932766-13-7</ref><ref>Armitage, Mark H. and Mullisen, Luke, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1591/ Preliminary observations of the pygidial gland of the Bombardier Beetle, Brachinus sp.] Journal of Creation 17(1):95–102, April 2003</ref>

Experimental evidence shows that hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone do not explode spontaneously, as creationist writers have sometimes claimed, if mixed without a chemical inhibitor.<ref>[[Richard Dawkins|Dawkins, Richard]], 1987. The Blind Watchmaker, Norton, NY p. 86-87</ref> The liquid explodes inside the beetle. This is the reason that its force can be directed against a threat. If the liquid exploded outside the beetle, it would be a less effective defence because the beetle would not be able to direct its force against its attacker.<ref>Aneshansley, Daniel J. & T. Eisner, 1969. Biochemistry at 100C: explosive secretory discharge of bombardier beetles (Brachinus). Science 165: 61-63.</ref><ref> Aneshansley, D.J., T.H. Jones, D. Alsop, J. Meinwald, & T. Eisner, 1983. Thermal concomitants and biochemistry of the explosive discharge mechanism of some little known bombardier beetles. Experientia 39: 366-368</ref><ref> Eisner, Thomas, George E. Ball, Braden Roach, Daniel J. Aneshansley, Maria Eisner, Curtis L. Blankespoor, & Jerrold Meinwald, 1989. Chemical defense of an Ozaenine bombardier beetle from New Guinea. Psyche 96: 153-160.</ref>

Experimental evidence shows that hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone do not explode spontaneously, as creationist writers have sometimes claimed, if mixed without a chemical inhibitor.<ref>[[Richard Dawkins|Dawkins, Richard]], 1987. The Blind Watchmaker, Norton, NY p. 86-87</ref> The liquid explodes inside the beetle. This is the reason that its force can be directed against a threat. If the liquid exploded outside the beetle, it would be a less effective defence because the beetle would not be able to direct its force against its attacker.<ref>Aneshansley, Daniel J. & T. Eisner, 1969. Biochemistry at 100C: explosive secretory discharge of bombardier beetles (Brachinus). Science 165: 61-63.</ref><ref>Aneshansley, D.J., T.H. Jones, D. Alsop, J. Meinwald, & T. Eisner, 1983. Thermal concomitants and biochemistry of the explosive discharge mechanism of some little known bombardier beetles. Experientia 39: 366-368</ref><ref>Eisner, Thomas, George E. Ball, Braden Roach, Daniel J. Aneshansley, Maria Eisner, Curtis L. Blankespoor, & Jerrold Meinwald, 1989. Chemical defense of an Ozaenine bombardier beetle from New Guinea. Psyche 96: 153-160.</ref>

Evolutionary biologists have postulated evolutionary accounts of the origin these traits.<ref>[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/bombardier.html Bombardier Beetles and the Argument of Design by Mark Isaak, 1997]</ref>

Evolutionary biologists have postulated evolutionary accounts of the origin these traits.<ref>[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/bombardier.html Bombardier Beetles and the Argument of Design by Mark Isaak, 1997]</ref>

   

   

4.The invaginations deepen. Muscles are moved around slightly, allowing them to help expel the quinones from some of them. (Many ants have glands similar to this near the end of their abdomen. [Holldobler & Wilson, 1990, pp. 233-237])

4.The invaginations deepen. Muscles are moved around slightly, allowing them to help expel the quinones from some of them. (Many ants have glands similar to this near the end of their abdomen. [Holldobler & Wilson, 1990, pp.&nbsp;233–237])

   

   

8.The channels become a duct, specialized for transporting the chemicals. The secretory cells withdraw from the reservoir surface, ultimately becoming a separate organ.

8.The channels become a duct, specialized for transporting the chemicals. The secretory cells withdraw from the reservoir surface, ultimately becoming a separate organ.

This stage -- secretory glands connected by ducts to reservoirs -- exists in many beetles. The particular configuration of glands and reservoirs that bombardier beetles have is common to the other beetles in their suborder. [Forsyth, 1970]

This stage—secretory glands connected by ducts to reservoirs—exists in many beetles. The particular configuration of glands and reservoirs that bombardier beetles have is common to the other beetles in their suborder. [Forsyth, 1970]