Home Topics Wildlife This insect shoots peppermint at predators from a pair of cannons behind its head

This insect shoots peppermint at predators from a pair of cannons behind its head

A peppermint stick insect (Megacrania batesii). Image credit: Caitlin Henderson

Meet the Megacrania batesii, commonly known as the peppermint stick insect.

Armed with chemical weapons (a pair of glands just behind its head), the stick insect shoots an irritating spray out of these glands, which smells exactly like peppermint, when threatened. It can spray the chemical forwards or even backwards. It might be minty fresh, but it’s absolutely horrible to get in your eyes, acting as a great predator deterrent.

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