Lepidopterran

The Lepidopterrans are an extraterrestrial species of insectoids from the swamp planet Lepidopterra.

Anatomy
In the original continuity, Lepidopterrans are depicted as an insectoid species with four insect-like legs and two arms with three clawed fingers. They have four pedunculated eyes that are quite small, but grow larger with age. Their wings are very fragile with lines on them. Infant Lepidopterrans have large eyes with pupils and have much smaller wings.

In the reboot continuity, Lepidopterrans have slender humanoid bodies with cyan skin and light blue shoulders, armpits, and ankles. They have cyan compound eyes and several light blue stripes on their bodies. They also have two orange wings and two dark cyan antennae. Female Lepidopterrans have spikes on their arms and are thinner than male Lepidopterrans.

Predator
In the original continuity, the Lepidopterrans are preyed on by Buglizards, who are able to neutralize a Lepidopterran's goo by generating a yellow fog.

Powers/Abilities
Lepidopterrans possess two insectoid wings that allow for extremely acrobatic flying, allowing them to pull off amazing maneuvers of precision and grace. They are extremely agile, able to avoid most attacks while attacking opponents.

Lepidopterrans are stronger than humans, being able carrying heavy loads while maintaining steady flight.

Lepidopterrans can excrete high pressured streams of liquid from the pollen ducts located inside of their eyestalks, shoulders, and/or mouths.

Despite their frail appearance, Lepidopterrans possess enhanced durability. For Omni-Enhanced Lepidopterrans, their natural durability is increased thanks to their rock-like armor.

While designed mainly for grappling, the hard spikes on a Lepidopterran's forearms make a valuable weapon in battle.

A Lepidopterran's tail is extremely sharp with a stinger-like tip that can tear and rend through steel near-effortlessly.

In the original continuity, Lepidoterrans have 360 degree vision. As such, they can move two eyes at the back of their heads and keep the other two eyes towards the front.

In the reboot continuity, Lepidopterrans have bioluminescent bodies, meaning that they can glow in the dark.

Infant Lepidopterrans are able to emit a powerful herbicide via flatulence.

Due to the alterations Kevin Levin has made to the Antitrix, Skunkmoth is more powerful than ordinary Lepidopterrans. He is also more durable thanks to his body armor, and his slime has acidic properties.

Omni-Enhanced Lepidopterrans can project electric sticky goo-like orbs from their mouths that behave like heatseeking missiles. They can also manipulate electricity.

Weaknesses
Although their exoskeleton body is fairly strong, Lepidopterran wings are very fragile.

Water is especially a problem for Lepidopterrans, as it can render them incapable of flight if too much gets on their wings. Additionally, they are unable to swim well due to the small surface area of their legs.

Lepidopterran goo can be broken apart by a species with as much strength as a Chimera Sui Generis. It can also be neutralized by a Buglizard's fog.

Like most earth insects, Lepidopterrans are extremely vulnerable to any kind of chemical poison or gas. In the reboot continuity, this weakness extends to a particular gas that they can create.

Lepidopterrans are vulnerable against fire and electricity, such as a Terroranchula's webbing.

Omni-Enhanced Lepidopterrans can no longer shoot goo or spray stink gas.

Behavior
Lepidopterrans spend most of their lives harvesting the giant plants on Lepidopterra.

Society
Residing in a complex of giant hives that are each ruled by its own queen, Lepidopterrans are the predominant species on Lepidopterra.

Life on Lepidopterra is seasonal, and every species plays a part in keeping the ecosystem healthy, making sure that the flora continues to produce fruit so that they can live together in harmony as they have for countless eons.

History
A group of Lepidopterran explorers once landed on Khoros, where they were mistaken for invaders and fought off by the Tetramands.

The Ledopterrans were unexpectedly visited by a group of Ekoplektoids due to their navigation system being interfered by the smell and mistook them for invader. The Ekoplektoids explained to them that they needed space, so the Lepidopterrans allowed them to stay.

Omnitrix Transformation
The Omnitrix's Lepidopterran representative is named Stinkfly, who first appeared in the original series episode "Washington BC". Stinkfly has appeared in almost every series except Alien Force.

The Ben Tennyson of Dimension 23 has an equivalent of Stinkfly named Big Bug, who first appeared in the Omniverse episode "And Then There Was Ben".

The reboot version of Kevin 11 has a mutant hybrid equivalent of Stinkfly named Skunkmoth, who first appeared in the episode "Introducing Kevin 11".

Stinkfly has also been used by the Prime Timeline Kevin, Ben 10,000, and the reboot version of Gwen. Despite not appearing on-screen, it is confirmed that Stinkfly is available in Benzarro's Omnitrix.

Etymology
Lepidopterran is a play on "lepidoptera", the scientific name for insects such as butterflies and moths.