Australian Fire Beetle

Australian Fire Beetle

Australian fire beetle avoids the heat: Its infrared organs warn the insect of hot surfaces. The Australian jewel beetle Merimna atrata has several heat sensors. Originally it was thought that it uses them to detect forest fires as the insect lays its eggs in the wood of burned eucalyptus trees. Researchers were finally able to refute this hypothesis. Instead, the beetle appears to need its heat sensors for a different purpose: to not burn its feet on landing. Source 3d.