Don't Tell China

By Harriet Barovick, Michelle Derrow, Tam Gray, Daniel Levy, Lina Lofaro, David Spitz, Flora Tartakovsky and Chris Taylor

Researchers working with the Federal Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are studying insects and other animals to figure out if they could be used to further the U.S.'s military operations. The creatures enlisted so far:

CREATURE HONEYBEES

SKILL Seeking pollen, they attract various airborne chemicals and take them back to the hive

MISSION Find land mines. Explosive devices leak small amounts of chemicals into the air. Researchers hope that by analyzing the chemical content in a hive, they can determine if explosives are in the area

PARASITIC WASPS

[SKILL] They can learn to detect various volatile compounds that they associate with food

[MISSION] Trained to associate food with compounds given off by chemical and biological weapons, wasps may swarm to areas where they're hidden

GIANT SPHINX MOTHS

[SKILL] Males are extremely sensitive to pheromones given off by females

[MISSION] Provide information on how to detect very low levels of chemicals. Moths could also be trained like wasps

FLIES

[SKILL] They're stable and maneuverable. Can land on ceilings, fly backward and hover with pinpoint accuracy

[MISSION] Help scientists learn more about flight control. The information may improve the aerodynamic capabilities of micro-air vehicles (planes with a 6-in. wingspan)

BEETLES

[SKILL] Their infrared-detection systems can locate forest fires many miles away

[MISSION] Give scientists a better understanding of infrared-detection systems, which could then be used to improve the infrared capabilities of missiles

LOBSTERS

[SKILL] Their locomotive abilities allow them to live in turbulent waters

[MISSION] Help scientists learn about maneuvering in surf zone, where most mines are. Researchers hope to build robots based on the lobster to locate mines