Paederus fuscipes rove beetle and Skeeter drone model
The rove beetle Paederus fuscipes (left), when crushed, emits a chemical that causes dermatitis and blistering on human skin, and it is an early example of an insect used in human warfare. The “Skeeter” unmanned aerial vehicle prototype (right), meanwhile, is a modern example of insect-inspired military technology. (Photo credits: (left) Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org; (right) Animal Dynamics)