Cornell University researchers have succeeded in implanting electronic circuit probes into tobacco hornworms as early pupae. The hornworms pass through the chrysalis stage to mature into long-lived moths whose muscles can be controlled with the implanted electronics.

The insect cyborgs are part of the DARPA funded HI-MEMS (Hybrid Insect MEMS) program. The ultimate goal of the HI-MEMS program is to provide insect cyborgs that can demonstrate controlled flight; the insects would be used in a variety of military and homeland security applications.

DARPA had better be careful with its insect army; in Easton’s novel, Sparrowhawk (Organic Future), hackers are able to gain control of genetically engineered animals by hacking the controller chips used in their implanted control structures.

[read the original article in LiveScience]