Insecticon
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Insecticons is the name given to a sub-group of fictional characters in the Transformers Universes, referred to as Insectrons in the Japanese version. The name was also used for two fictional characters in the Transformers Universes.
Transformers - Generation One (1985)
The three original Insecticon toys were based on Diaclone toys made by Takara in the early 1984.
Television Series
Originally, they were three Decepticons that Megatron had left on his ship as back up. When the Decepticon ship was to crash on Earth, the trio got out via an escape pod which crashed in an Indonesian swamp. In order to survive, they scanned the forms of the surrounding area's insects. The insect forms they adopted enabled them to extract energon from organic life and metals, though they still ingest fossil fuels and energy-based matter (electricity, energon cubes, etc.) as well, bas they took on the forms of insects and not their size, the three Insecticons caused terror for any humans living nearby.They were eventually found by Megatron centuries later and were re-recruited back to the Decepticons. But they became more independent as a result of their long absence, making them loose cannons. But that was overlooked due to the Insecticons' ability to create clones of themselves that followed the originals like an army. The Insecticons took part in the Battle of Autobot City in 2005 but many were badly damaged. Several Insecticons were tossed out into space with Megatron, Skywarp, and Thundercracker, although it is unclear if these were the original Insecticons or clones. Either way, these discarded Insecticons, along with Skywarp and Thundercracker, were used by Unicron to create new Decepticon troops for Galvatron.
Marvel Comics
In the Marvel comics the Insecticons could shrink down to real insect size in beast mode. However, they did not show the cartoon Insecticons' ability to create clones. They first appeared in Issues 17 and 18 in a story set primarily on Cybertron. The comic Insecticons appearances would be limited, and most often would invlove Bombshell and his cerebro-shells. Their only major appearance would be in Issues 21 and 22 of the US comic. In those isssues, the Insecticons have recently arrived on Earth and Bombshell, at Megatron's request, uses one of his cerebro shells to mind-control a human worker at a dam as part of a plot to take it over. The human uses Megatron in gun-mode to threaten the Aerialbots, but the human's daughter is able to help him overcome the Decepticon control. In this arc, one of Bombshell's cerebro shells is also used on Optimus Prime. Although it is not able to control Optimus, Megatron is able to leech the energies of the Matrix to create the Stunticons and Combaticons as the Autobots create the Aerialbots and Protectobots. Bombshell also appears (without the other Insecticons) in the four-issue limited series G.I. Joe and The Transformers, which is concurrent with Issues 23-27 of the US Transformers comic.The Insecticons appeared previous to this in the Target: 2006 arc of the UK Marvel Transformers. In this they are among the Decepticons most feared killers, and are earmarked for elimination by the Wreckers before a mass Autobot uprising. However, Megatron calling the Insecticons to Earth scuppered the plans of both Autobots and Decepticons.
Dreamwave Comics
The Insecticons would also appear in Dreamwave's reimagining of the Transformers mythos. In Issues 7 and 8 of volume 3 of the Generation One Comic the Insecticons would appear, attacking a team of Autobots led by Jazz. The original Insecticons appeared to be working for Shockwave and had created a huge number of clones. They had originally come to Earth as part of a fact-finding mission to discover the fate of the Ark, but were defeated and deactivated by Grimlock, who seemed to be on a similar mission. Their plans to control the population of a town was defeated by Jazz' Autobots. The Insecticon clones seemed unable to transform and were possibly techno-organic, as the clones were developed in larvae.
IDW Comics
The Insecticons will also apparently be appearing in the mini-series Evolution: Hearts of Steel. According to early designs they will have a combined mode of a large battle-train .http://idwpublishing.com/titles/transformers/hos.shtml
Insecticon Members
Basic Insecticons
- Shrapnel: Stag Beetle
- Bombshell: Weevil
- *Weapons: Cerebro-shells (humans) - In his insect form, Bombshell uses his stinger to inject a micro-circuited device into a human’s head. It through the blood until it reaches the brain, whereupon it opens up and releases tens of thousands of connecting wires. The wires coil around nearby neural dendrites until the brain’s conscious functions are effectively rerouted through the cerebro-shell, which puts the mind of the victim under the remote control of Bombshell.
- *Weapons: Cerebro-shells (Transformers) - Bombshell’s stinger is used in much the same way against other robots’ high-function mental circuitry. The major difference is that once the stinger is pressed against the metal casing of the victim’s head, the small laser torches on the side of the stinger rotates rapidly to carve a small hole in the casing, allowing the stinger to inject a cerebro-shell.
- Kickback: Grasshopper
Deluxe Insecticons
The Deluxe Insecticons were built by Bandai, and imported to America via Hasbro. Due to an arrangement with Takara (the Japanese toy company who built the toys originally intended to be Transformers), they never appeared on TV in anything more than animated commercials. They first appeared in print in the Marvel UK comics then later in Dreamwave comics. In the Marvel comics they were part of the Decepticon Mayhem Attack Squad, counterpart to the Autobot Wreckers. They were sent to Earth to stop the time-travelling Galvatron, forming an uneasy alliance with their rivals. However, they faced not only Galvatron, but a clone of Megatron (at the time believed to be the real thing). Both elite squads were decimated, with all four Deluxe Insecticons being killed.- Venom: Cicada
- Barrage: Rhinoceros Beetle
- Chopshop: Stag Beetle
- Ransack: Locust
Insecticon Clones
In 2004 the Japanese company eHobby released the original Insecticons molds together in their original Diaclone colors as Insecticon clones.
- Shothole - Clone of Kickback.
- Slavo - Clone of Bombshell.
- Zaptrap - Clone of Shrapnel.
| Transformers character | |
 | |
| Insecticon | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Predacon (Destron) |
| Subgroup | Basic Beast |
| Function | Surveillance |
| Motto | None |
| Alternate mode | Giant Beetle |
| Series | Transformers: Beast Wars |
Insecticon was a basic-sized "flip-changer" Transformer who has only recently appeared in fiction - IDW's Beast Wars comic book. There he made his not-so-glorious debut being attacked by the Maximal Wolfang. His weapon is a cross-bow. This toy was never repainted and there are rumors that the mold used to create it has been damaged meaning it cannot be reused again. This makes Insecticon one of the rare Transformers released after Generation One who had a toy that has never been repainted in a different color!
Biography
Sonar-sensitive antennae locate and track enemy Maximals infiltrating Predacon battle perimeters. Internal radar beacon emits low-frequency signal to alert others. When hungry for battle himself, this insidious insect uses his crossbow to cripple enemies then drags 'em to their doom with his monstrous mandibles!
Beast Wars Second
Beast Wars II is a Japanese exclusive toyline and cartoon series. Formerly mercenaries, the Insecticons ended up on the Antarctica region of Gaia where they live peacefully. Starscream tricked them into fighting the Maximals until they the ruse was ruined by Galvatron's fits. They later allied themselves with the Maximals. They had encountered their sworn rivals the AutoRollers. The toys for the Insectrons was recolors of several Beast Wars Predacons with insect forms, but they don't seem to be the same characters at all.
- Bigmos (same mold as Transquito in US): The team leader. He was saved by Autostinger in his mercenary days. Beast mode is a mosquito, with a 'antion' mode.
- Powerhug (same mold as Retrax in US): Judo master who sets store by etiquette. Beast mode is a pillbug.
- Tonbotto (same mold as Jetstorm in US): A affectioned scout, the fastest flyer in his group. Beast mode is a dragonfly.
- Mantis (Transformers) (same mold as Manterror in US): A lone samurai who doesn't hesitate to attack anybody who gets in his space. Beast mode is a preying mantis.
- Drillnuts (same mold as Drillbit in US): The team inventor, his beast mode is a wevil.
- Scissorboy (same mold as Powerpinch in US): The shatty and shrewd safecracker who becomes good friends with Tasmania Kid. Beast mode is an earwig.
(2004)
| Transformers character | |
 | |
| Insecticon (Chromehorn) | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Decepticon |
| Subgroup | Terrorcon |
| Function | N/A |
| Motto | "I have an appetite for your destruction." |
| Alternate mode | Transmetal Beetle |
| Series | Transformers: Energon, Transformers: Universe |
The Insecticon type Terrorcons were a homage to the original group of Generation One Insecticons; in particular, the Deluxe Insecticon Barrage. In the TV show, they were extremely loyal to Scorponok. A little seen character in the Dreamwave comics, he was usually seen in the background except for Terrorcon clone groups. Insecticon was known as Chromhorn in the Japanese series Super Link and also received a repaint called Forest Type Chromhorn which was mainly green which can be seen [here.]
Biography Insecticon is a merciless Terrorcon who declares allegiance only to himself. He possesses a powerful arsenal of Energon weapons in both robot and insect mode. His infamous battle tactics are feared by both Autobots and Decepticons alike, though few of his opponents have survived to speak of them. His enemies are advised to avoid the swarm of Insecticon.
Comic Series
Transformers: Energon #26 – Earth Year 2015 - After a flashback to Optimus Prime forming the Cybercord Treaty between the United Nations and Cybertron we find Prowl and Jetfire on Cybertron trying to find out what happened to Optimus Prime. Jetfire then has to speak to the High Council instead of Optimus Prime. Although council member Leviticus does not wish to assign the Autobots more troops and energon on Earth, council member Avalon comes to Jetfire’s aid and gets convinces the council to do as asked. Hidden inside Unicron Megatron attempts to get Optimus Prime to help him move Megatron’s spark into a new body without Unicron being aware. Megatron offers to help Optimus Prime stop a Terrorcon invasion of Earth if he will help Megatron move his spark into a new body. In the Black Sea Kicker and the Omnicons are attempting to find a new Energon deposit when they are attacked by Mirage, Slugslinger and Sharkticon. Alexis and Rad witness the anti-robot protests in Los Angeles. On Earth Terrorcon invasions start in four cities. Divebomb and his clones attack Toronto, Battle Ravage and his clones attack Moscow, Cruellock and his clones attack Tokyo and Insecticon and his clones attack Los Angeles.(2005)
In late 2005 Energon Insecticon toy was repackaged as a Transformers: Universe toy. The toy itself was identical to the original Energon toy. Though there is no mention of this character in any of the Transformers Universe fiction.(2005)
The character of Dirge, a repaint of Beast Wars Fuzor Buzzclaw was sold as an Insecticon.
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