Lepidopterrans are an extraterrestrial species of insectoids from the swamp planet Lepidopterra.[1]
Biology
Anatomy
Two radically different phenotypes of this species have been observed. The first kind is comprised of insectoids with four insect-like legs, two arms with three-clawed hands, and four pedunculated and pupiled eyes that grow out on stalks as pairs on each side of their heads. They have very fragile wings with vascular vein-like patterns and stinger tails that are functionally ultra-sensitive receptors, making them behave like antennae.[2] Children of this breed have particularly large eyestalks, smaller wings and tails, and fat bodies.
Adult Lepidopterrans of this breed have more muscular eye stalks, much larger and wider front legs, and larger tail stingers that curl at the tip.
Although they are traditionally green, quadrupedal Lepidopterrans can come in other colors. For example, Lepidopterrans from Dimension 23 have light purple skin, Negative Stinkfly has pale green skin, and Benzarro's Stinkfly has light grey skin.
The second kind of 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. Females of this breed are thinner than males and have spikes on their forearms.
Ecology
The quadrupedal Lepidopterrans are preyed on by Buglizards, who are able to neutralize a Lepidopterran's goo by generating a yellow fog.
Powers and 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. For bipedal Lepidopterrans, their strength extends to their prehensile feet, being able to carry half a train while flying.
Lepidopterrans can excrete high pressured streams of liquid from the pollen ducts located inside of their eyestalks, shoulders, and/or mouths. These liquids can function as either a flammable toxin or an immobilizing adhesive capable of blinding a Petrosapien. Of course, this depends on the Lepidopterran in question instinctively choosing what type of slime it can be.[3]
Despite their frail appearance, Lepidopterrans possess enhanced durability thanks to their fairly strong exoskeletons. For Omni-Enhanced Lepidopterrans, their natural durability is increased thanks to their rock-like armor.
Lepidopterrans possess enhanced dexterity, being able to operate an Earth cell phone with their three-fingered hands.
Lepidopterrans are commonly accompanied by a natural odor-like stench; this come from the oils they secrete to keep their exoskeletonal joints moving.[4]
Lepidopterrans can use their slime to suppress fires because of their fire extinguisher-like properties.
Lepidopterrans can release a cloud of methane gas.[5]
A quadrupedal Lepidopterran's tail is extremely sharp with a stinger-like tip that can tear and rend through steel near-effortlessly.
Quadrupedal 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.
Bipedal Lepidopterrans have bioluminescent bodies, meaning that they can glow in the dark.
While designed mainly for grappling, the hard spikes on a female bipedal Lepidopterran's forearms make valuable weapons in battle.
Young Lepidopterrans are able to emit a powerful herbicide via flatulence.
Undead Lepidopterrans can absorb goo through their eyestalks, functionally working in the opposite of ordinary Lepidopterrans.[6]
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.
Omni-Enhanced Lepidopterrans can manipulate electricity, despite this element being a weakness for ordinary Lepidopterrans.
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 case of bipedal Lepidopterrans, this extends to a particular gas that they can create.
Lepidopterrans can be lifted and tossed around by a species with as much strength as a Tetramand.
Lepidopterrans are vulnerable against fire and electricity, such as a Terroranchula's webbing.
Omni-Enhanced Lepidopterrans are unable to either shoot goo or spray stink gas due to their powers being altered.
Culture and society
Lepidopterrans spend most of their lives harvesting the giant plants on Lepidopterra.[7]
Residing in a complex of giant hives that are each ruled by its own queen, Lepidopterrans are the predominant species on Lepidopterra.[8]
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.
Notable members
- Stinkfly: An Omnitrix transformation used by Ben Tennyson.
- Big Bug: An alternate version of Stinkfly used by the Ben Tennyson of Dimension 23.
- Stinkfly (Gweniverse): An alternate female version of Stinkfly used by the Gweniverse Gwen 10.[6]
- Stinkfly (Ben 10,000 Timeline): An alternate adult version of Stinkfly used by the original Ben 10,000.
- Stinkfly (Ken 10): An alternate version of Stinkfly used by Ken 10.[9]
- Negative Stinkfly: An alternate version of Stinkfly used by Albedo.[6]
- Benzarro Stinkfly: An alternate, undead version of Stinkfly used by Benzarro.[6]
- Buzz: A Lepidopterran child living in Undertown.
- Lepidopterran Prisoner: A Lepidopterran criminal incarcerated in Incarcecon.
Half-qualifiers
- Skunkmoth: A mutant hybrid equivalent of Stinkfly used by the Kevin Levin of Dimension 27998.3.
- Kevin Levin: The Prime Timeline's Kevin Levin transformed into a copy of Stinkfly using his Osmosian powers.
- Kevin 11/Devlin 11: 11-year-old Kevin Levin of the Prime Timeline transformed into an amalgamation of Ben Tennyson's first set of 10 aliens, including Stinkfly. Devlin Levin can transform into an identical amalgamation.
- Gwen Tennyson: The Gwen Tennyson of Dimension 27998.3 transformed into Stinkfly while inside the Omnitrix.
- Max Tennyson: The Prime Timeline's Max Tennyson was temporarily mutated into a Lepidopterran by Dr. Animo.
- Stink Arms: A Biomnitrix transformation comprised of Lepidopterran and Tetramand DNA.
- Skurd: Skurd has been able to create wings using Lepidopterran DNA.
- Amalgam Ben: The Ben Tennyson of Dimension 27988.3 transformed into an amalgamation of his first 10 aliens, including Stinkfly.
- Monster Kevin/AntiVilgax: The Kevin Levin and Vilgax of Dimension 27998.3 transformed into amalgamations of every alien available in the Antitrix, including Skunkmoth.
- Mutant Lepidopterrans: Lepidopterran/Splixson hybrids created by Dr. Animo.
- Worms: Some worms were mutated with Lepiopterran DNA by a loose piece of the Omnitrix.
- Crab: A crab was mutated with Lepiopterran DNA by a loose piece of the Omnitrix.
History
A group of Lepidopterran explorers once landed on Khoros, where they were mistaken for invaders and fought off by the Tetramands.
The Lepidopterrans were unexpectedly visited by a group of Ekoplektoids, due to their navigation system being interfered with by their smell, and mistook them for invaders. The Ekoplektoids explained to them that they needed space to expand their ever-multiplying population, so the Lepidopterrans allowed them to stay.
Gallery
Notes
- The name "Lepidopterran" is a play on "lepidoptera", the scientific name for insects such as butterflies and moths; it was first used on-screen by Azmuth's father in the film Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens.
- The quadrupedal Lepidopterrans originally had naturally black heads that are part of their biology, despite looking like masks.[10] However, these black heads are instead portrayed as actual masks in Omniverse.
- The quadrupedal Lepidopterrans are shown to have pupils, with the only exceptions 10 and 16-year-old Stinkfly in both the original series and Ultimate Alien.
- In 2020, Derrick J. Wyatt released full-color models of alternate versions of Stinkfly used by Albedo and Benzarro.
- When incorporating aliens from previous series into the Ben 10 reboot, the Lepidopterrans were redesigned the point of looking like an entirely new species. This decision was made because kids thought the original design for the Lepidopterrans was too scary.[11]
- It also may be because the original Lepidopterrans do not resemble either butterflies or moths, while the resemblance is far more noticeable in their redesigns.
References
- ↑ According to Stinkfly's lenticular bio card from Bandai's Ben 10 toyline
- ↑ According to the trivia version of the episode "The Return"
- ↑ According to Matt Wayne
- ↑ According to the trivia version of the episode "Kevin 11"
- ↑ According to Duncan Rouleau
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 According to Derrick J. Wyatt
- ↑ According to the trivia version of the episode "Back With a Vengeance"
- ↑ According to Stinkfly's bio card from Bandai's Ben 10 toyline
- ↑ Despite not appearing on-screen, it is confirmed by Ben 10,000 in the episode "Ken 10" that Stinkfly is available in Ken 10's Omnitrix.
- ↑ According to Dave Johnson
- ↑ According to Kaitrin Snodgrass