According to surviving 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 this type of weapon.
Top the Most Terrifying Insect Weapons in History
Bee “Bomb”
During Ethiopia’s national defense war, Ethiopians used bees to combat Italian tanks.
Bees were employed as a weapon by the Romans and have been used by various peoples from ancient times to the present day. Recently, during Ethiopia’s national defense war against the invading Fascist Italians (1935-1936), Ethiopians used bees to fight against Italian tanks. A beehive thrown inside a tank would trap the crew, forcing them to abandon the vehicle. Additionally, Nigerians have a simple method of using bees by placing them in a wooden tube and blowing them towards the enemy. A more original and reliable method was used in medieval castles in England, Scotland, and Wales, where bees were kept directly in the walls of the fortresses. In peacetime, the bees would gather nectar, and in case of a siege, they would attack the enemy to protect the fortress.
Scorpion “Bomb”
Scorpions are one of the oldest weapons, dating back around 2,000 years.
One of the oldest weapons, dating back around 2,000 years, was used during the Roman campaign in Mesopotamia. Emperor Septimius Severus was forced to halt his assault on the fortress of Hatra, surrounded by impenetrable walls. Instead of a direct attack, the Romans began collecting venomous scorpions and throwing them over the walls. This killed many Hatra warriors, creating a psychological effect that ultimately forced the fortress to surrender.
Remote-Controlled Insects
In many cases, remote-controlled insects serve military purposes.
Today, remote-controlled insects are considered powerful intelligence weapons, not for causing harm directly, but often serving military purposes. By implanting electrodes into the brain of an insect, they can be used effectively for reconnaissance in various conflicts.
The Plague of Fleas
The flea pandemic caused a disease outbreak, resulting in approximately 500,000 deaths.
Fleas, as insect weapons, may not seem as dangerous as bees, but the reality is quite different. During World War II, the Japanese used fleas infected with plague. Initially tested on prisoners, they were then dispersed using special bombs over Chinese territory. The outbreak caused approximately 500,000 fatalities.
Colorado Potato Beetle
The Colorado Potato Beetle is commonly used to destroy crops of the enemy.
The Colorado Potato Beetle is a true biological weapon; while it cannot directly harm the enemy, it devastates their crops. Experiments with this species were reportedly conducted by the Nazis, and later, according to various sources, it could have been used in the United States.
Yellow Fever Mosquito
This mosquito was used in experiments in the U.S. during the 1950s.
The Yellow Fever mosquito was placed in bombs during tests in the U.S. in the 1950s. It was considered a promising weapon in the event of a war with the Soviet Union since yellow fever was not a common disease in the Soviet Union and vaccination would not be widespread.
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 was tested in concentration camps. Documentation about this was made public in 2013 in the journal Endeavour. Fortunately, Anopheles mosquitoes have never been practically used in warfare, sparing humanity from witnessing their true effects.
Cholera Fly
This fly was used by the Japanese during World War II.
The Cholera fly was also used by the Japanese during World War II. It showed lower effectiveness compared to plague fleas and was mainly used as a backup weapon.
