Reflex bleeding

Reflex bleeding is a defensive behaviour in some insects where a noxious fluid is exuded by the insect when threatened. The fluid flows out through pores in the exoskeleton. The secretion consists of a bitter fluid, including haemolymph and noxious chemicals.

Bloody-nosed beetles and Ladybirds are possibly the most familiar insects capable of reflex bleeding but other insects such as froghoppers can also reflex bleed.

A photograph of a Bloody-nosed beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa). When threatened Bloody-nosed beetles exude a noxious red liquid through a process called reflex bleeding, this is how they get their name.

Related terms

• Coleoptera
• Haemolymph
• Hemiptera
• Ladybird

Related groups of terms

• General biology
• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• Beetles - Order Coleoptera

See other words beginning with R