A military research lab in China has developed a mosquito-sized drone that can carry out secret missions—sparking concerns about its potential for espionage and misuse.
The tiny flying device, created by scientists at the National University of Defense Technology in China’s Hunan province, closely resembles a mosquito, with two small leaf-like wings, a black vertical body, and three ultra-thin legs. It’s so small that it can easily go unnoticed by the human eye and even slip past radar systems.
A video shared by Chinese state media shows one of the researchers holding the tiny drone between his fingers and saying it is ideal for “information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield.”
Despite its size, the drone is packed with micro-cameras and microphones, allowing it to capture photos, audio, and possibly electronic signals. It’s designed for military and civilian uses, including operations where traditional drones might be too large or noisy to go undetected—such as indoor surveillance or espionage.
Experts are raising alarms.
“If China is able to produce mosquito-sized drones, it would likely be interested in using them for surveillance tasks, especially in areas larger drones can’t access,” said Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University. He added these drones could be used to track people or eavesdrop on conversations.
However, the drone’s tiny size comes with limitations. It likely has a very short battery life, can only carry minimal sensors, and would need to be close to its operator to work effectively.
“This is why the drone is less useful for open battlefields and more for special ops or espionage,” explained Timothy Heath, a defense researcher.
Heath also warned that if this tech becomes publicly available, it could lead to privacy violations or even criminal use, such as spying on neighbors or businesses.
This isn’t the first insect-inspired drone. Harvard University has been working on a bee-like drone called the RoboBee for over a decade, and many militaries use the slightly larger Black Hornet drones, which are already in action in places like Ukraine.
Still, the arrival of this mosquito drone marks a new chapter in covert surveillance technology, blending military-grade engineering with insect-like stealth.
