According to ancient documents, insect weapons were first used in ancient times. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that serious consideration was given to developing these weapons.
Top the Most Terrifying Insect Weapons in History
Bee “Bombs”
During the patriotic war of Ethiopia, Ethiopians used bees to fight against Italian tanks.
Bees were used as a weapon by the Romans, and many other nations have continued this practice from ancient times to the present day. Recently, during Ethiopia’s patriotic war against the invading fascist Italy (1935-1936), the Ethiopians used bees to combat Italian tanks. A beehive thrown inside a tank would trap the crew, forcing them to exit the vehicle. Additionally, in Nigeria, people use a simple method by placing bees in a wooden tube and blowing them toward the enemy. A more original and reliable method was employed in medieval castles in England, Scotland, and Wales, where bees were raised directly in the walls of fortifications. During peacetime, these bees would gather nectar, but when besieged, they would attack the enemy to defend the fortress.
Scorpion “Bombs”
Scorpions are one of the oldest weapons, dating back about two millennia.
As one of the oldest weapons, around two millennia ago, during the campaign in Mesopotamia, Roman Emperor Septimius Severus was forced to halt his advance against the fortress of Hatra, surrounded by impenetrable walls. Instead of a direct assault, the Romans began collecting venomous scorpions and throwing them into the city. This killed many Hatra warriors, creating a psychological impact that forced the fortress to surrender.
Remote-Controlled Insects
In many instances, remote-controlled insects serve military purposes.
Today, remote-controlled insects are considered a powerful intelligence weapon, not for causing damage directly, but they serve military purposes in many cases. After implanting electrodes into the brain of an insect, they can be used for reconnaissance in warfare very effectively.
Plague of Fleas
The flea plague caused an outbreak, killing approximately 500,000 people.
Fleas, as an insect weapon, may seem less dangerous than bees, but the reality is quite different. During World War II, the Japanese used fleas infected with the plague. Initially tested on prisoners, they were later disseminated using special bombs over Chinese territory. The outbreak resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths.
Colorado Potato Beetle
The Colorado potato beetle is often used to destroy enemy crops.
The Colorado potato beetle is a true biological weapon. While it cannot directly harm the enemy, it destroys the crops of opponents. Experiments have been conducted with this beetle believed to have occurred under the Nazi regime and later, according to various sources, it may have been used in the United States.
Yellow Fever Mosquito
This type of mosquito was tested in the United States in the 1950s.
The yellow fever mosquito was placed in bombs during tests in the United States in the 1950s. They were considered a promising weapon in the event of war with the Soviet Union, as yellow fever was not a common disease in the USSR, and vaccination would not be administered.
Anopheles Mosquito
Fortunately, Anopheles mosquitoes have never been used in actual warfare.
The Anopheles mosquito (malaria mosquito) was developed by the Nazis as a biological weapon and tested in concentration camps. Documentation on this was made public in 2013 in the journal Endeavour. Fortunately, Anopheles mosquitoes have never been used in actual warfare, so humanity has not had to witness their true effects.
Cholera-Causing Flies
This type of fly was used by the Japanese during World War II.
Cholera-causing flies were also used by the Japanese during World War II. They showed less effectiveness compared to plague fleas and were mainly used as a backup weapon.
