MIT researchers Joel Voldman and colleagues have designed a flexible neural probe that can be attached directly to an insect’s ventral nerve cord (VNC), which is similar to a human spinal cord.

The team implanted the device in untethered moths and sent commands remotely. The moths turned left or right whenever the appropriate signal was delivered.

DARPA hopes this kind of control will one day allow intelligence agencies to use insects to carry surveillance equipment and spy on unsuspecting enemies.

Ref.: W.M. Tsang et al., Insect-machine interface: A carbon nanotube-enhanced flexible neural probe, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 2012 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.11.026]