Scientists say trained bees can sniff bombs

PHOENIX (Reuters) – Scientists at a U.S. weapons laboratory say they have trained bees to sniff out explosives in a project they say could have far-reaching applications for U.S. homeland security and the Iraq war.

Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico said they trained honeybees to stick out their proboscis — the tube they use to feed on nectar — when they smell explosives in anything from cars and roadside bombs to belts similar to those used by suicide bombers.

Researchers in the program, dubbed the Stealthy Insect Sensor Project, published their findings on Monday.

By exposing the insects to the odor of explosives followed by a sugar water reward, researchers said they trained bees to recognize substances ranging from dynamite and C-4 plastic explosives to the Howitzer propellant grains used in improvised explosive devices in Iraq.

Ok.. so I either get a mental picture of some cop with a bee on a leash or they are going to release two billion bees into Iraq and see which cars they go after so now I have a bunch of troops running after a swarm of bees. I would be wrong.. they are going to carry shoeboxes with bees in them..

Haarmann said the bees could be carried in hand-held detectors the size of a shoe box, and could be used to sniff out explosives in airports, roadside security checks, or even placed in robot bomb disposal equipment. He said the next step would be to manufacture the bee boxes and train security guards in their use.

Dont forget to take the bees home with you and feed them!