History Main / AtrociousArthropods

WhatMeasureIsANonCute and evolution itself can be a factor in this trope, since humans seem to have a biologically ingrained panic response to arthropods, presumably to avoid the risk of transmissible diseases, and because of this, many people consider most arthropods to be scary or ugly. However, the general consensus is that this response may be easily overridden through frequent exposure to arthropods early in life. In most other cultures, arthropods are more likely to be considered appetizing food than objects of fear.

** ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': The Predacons have many insect, arachnid, and crustacean alt modes among their ranks, with their insignia looking noticeably insectoid. The arthropod Predacons are Waspinator (wasp), Inferno (ant), Scorponok (scorpion), Quickstrike ([[SnakesAreSinister part snake]], [[MixAndMatchCritters part scorpion]]), Tarantulas (spider), Rampage (crab) and Blackarachnia (spider). [[spoiler:Blackarachnia does pull a HeelFaceTurn but doesn't quite shake her Predacon ruthlessness.]]

** ''Franchise/TransformersGeneration1'': The Insecticons are Decepticons with [[Mechanicalnsects insect alt modes]]. In addition to serving as {{Mooks}} for Megatron, they possess the ability to convert any sort of matter into Energon for the Decepticons to use.

* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** ''Franchise/TransformersGeneration1'': The Insecticons are Decepticons with insect alt modes. In addition to serving as {{Mooks}} for Megatron, they possess the ability to convert any sort of matter into Energon for the Decpeticons to use.
** ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': The Predacons had reptiles, dinosaurs,insects, arachnids and crustaceans as their alt modes. The arthropod Predacons where Waspinator (wasp), Inferno (ant), Scorponok (scorpion), Quickstrike ([[MixAndMatchCritter part snake, part scorpion]]), Tarantulus (spider), Rampage (crab) and Blackarachnia (spider). Blackarachnia does pull a HeelFaceTurn but doesn't quite shake her Predacon ruthlessness.

** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil7'': In the Old House giant insects created by the Mold are encountered as common enemies by the protagonist Ethan Winters.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, since humans seem to have a biologically ingrained panic response to arthropods, presumably to avoid the risk of transmissible diseases, and because of this, many people consider most arthropods to be scary or ugly. However, the general consensus is that this response is a result of cultural conditioning, and as such, it may be overridden through frequent exposure to arthropods early in life. In most other cultures, arthropods are more likely to be considered appetizing food than objects of fear.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, because humans seem to have a biologically hardwired panic response to arthropods, perhaps to avoid the risk of transmissible diseases, and because of this, many people consider most arthropods to be scary or ugly. However, the general consensus is that this sort of response is a result of cultural conditioning, and may be overridden through frequent exposure to arthropods early in life.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, since humans seem to have a biologically hardwired panic response to arthropods, presumably to avoid the risk of transmissible diseases, and because of this, many people consider most arthropods to have scary/ugly appearances. However, this reponse may be overriden through frequent exposure to arthropods.

*** Wasp was once an arrogant but promising Autobot cadet until he was framed for being a Decepticon spy by Longarm Prime (aka Shockwave). Wasp was imprisoned and driven mad by the experience, swearing revenge on Bumblebee for ruining his life. He broke out and ultimately fell in with Blackarachnia who convinced him to undergo a procedure that transformed him into a techno-organic Transformer with an insect alternate mode.
** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'': In addition to the Insecticons, we also have Airachnid. A sadistic spider-like robot, Airachnid served as a mercenary during the Cybertron War, holding no allegiances to either side. Not only does hunt other species into extinction for sport, but she also murdered Arcee's first partner Tailgate.

** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'':
*** Beezlebubs are insects that have grown to enormous proportions as a result of possession by demons. Blue Beelzebubs resemble flies and can spit out maggots that stop you from using guns, while green Beelzebubs resemble mantises.

** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'': Agnus is the EvilGenius of [[CorruptChurch the Order of the Sword]], the main villains of the game. His demon form is a large humanoid insect, which he uses in his later boss battles.

** Hanzo Hasashi goes by the codename Scorpion. He frequently goes through the HeelFaceRevolvingDoor and can transform into a giant scorpion in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4''.

** In the first episode, Gorrath's mech displays the ability to transform into a spider-like form.

** Scarab can transform into a beetle creature in battle.

** ''Anime/YuGiOh'': Insector Haga is the most well known example in the franchise. A highly respected duelist when introduced, Haga shows himself to be an underhanded cheater when he throws Yugi's Exodia cards into the water. In his return in the Battle City arc, Haga sabotages Jonouchi's deck by slipping in a card that allows him to turn the latter's monsters into insect monsters. The Waking the Dragons filler arc has Haga go full on villain by joining the doomsday cult the heroes are fighting against.

** ''ComicBook/BlueBeetle'': The ComicBook/New52 reimagines the Reach with a more insectoid look, while retaining their role as an antagonistic race of conquerors.

Despite constituting the largest phylum in the animal kingdom and making up ''eighty percent'' of all animal life on Earth, arthropods - or arthropod-like creatures - have a habit of appearing as villains or monsters to be feared quite often in media. The most common choices are scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes, but even more "benevolent" arthropods such as butterflies, ladybugs, and ants, and crustaceans can be used. Of course, it doesn't matter how dangerous or harmless these creatures are in real life.

Arthropods are quite often [[InsectoidAliens aliens]], monsters and [[MechanicalInsects robots]] due to how their designs lend themselves to [[BigCreepyCrawlies large, scary creatures]]. They will often be the evil faction in the BugWar.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, since humans appear to have a biologically hardwired panic response to arthropods, presumably to avoid the risk of transmissible diseases, and because of this, many people consider most arthropods to have scary/ugly appearances.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, since entomophobia tends to be fairly common in many parts of the human population, and thus many people consider most arthropods to have scary/ugly appearances. However, entomophobia seems to be largely cultural and learned.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, since entomophobia tends to be fairly common in many parts of the human population, and thus many people consider most arthropods to have scary/ugly appearances. However, this fear seems to be largely cultural.

WhatMeasureIsANonCute can be a factor in this trope, since many people consider most arthropods to have scary/ugly appearances.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[MemeticMutation Reject humanity. Return to crab.]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Reject humanity. Return to crab.]]

Despite the fact that they constitute the the largest phylum in the animal kingdom and make up the overwhelming majority of animal life on Earth, arthropods or arthropod-like creatures have a habit of appearing as villains or monsters to be feared quite often in media. The most common choices are scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes, but even more "benevolent" arthropods such as butterflies, ladybugs, and ants can be used. Of course, it doesn't matter how dangerous or harmless these creatures are in real life.

Despite the fact that they constitute the the largest phylum in the animal kingdom and make up the overwhelming majority of animal life on Earth, in fiction, arthropods or arthropod-like creatures have a habit of appearing as villains or monsters to be feared quite often. The most common choices are scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes, but even more "benevolent" arthropods such as butterflies, ladybugs, and ants can be used. Of course, it doesn't matter how dangerous or harmless these creatures are in real life.

[[caption-width-right:350:Reject humanity. Return to crab.]]]

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/MarioBros https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6deb5bca_1129_4248_a79f_02a8c5a3f570.jpeg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Before there were Koopas, the Mario Bros. spent their days [[AddedAlliterativeAppeal attacking arthropods]].]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987'': In "Enter The Fly", [[EvilGenius Baxter Stockman]]'s latest failure drives Shredder to call in [[DumbMuscle Rock Steady and Bebop]] to take on the Turtles. Since the unstable dimensional interface requires somebody be sent back through the portal to maintain the balance, Baxter is selected to be sent through a portal to Dimension X while Rock Steady and Bebop are teleported to Earth. Unfortunately, a housefly gets caught in the teleportation process and fuses with Baxter, transforming him into a deranged fly-creature.

In fiction, arthropods or arthropod-like creatures have a habit of appearing as villains or monsters to be feared quite often. The most common choices are scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes, but even more "benevolent" arthropods such as butterflies, ladybugs, and ants can be used. Of course, it doesn't matter how dangerous or harmless these creatures are in real life.

In fiction, arthropods or arthropod-like creatures have a habit of appearing as villains or monsters to be feared quite often. The most common choices are scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes but even more "benevolent" arthropods such as butterflies, ladybugs and ants can be used. Of course, it doesn't matter how dangerous or harmless these creatures are in real life.

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* ''VideoGame/MarioBros'': [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent Shellcreepers]] notwithstanding, the two main foes that the Mario Bros. face are both arthropods, being Sidesteppers, which are [[GiantEnemyCrab crabs]], and Fighter Flies, which are... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin well,]] [[MothMenace flies.]]
* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'':

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'': The Turtles face quite a few of them, like the cockroach in "Cockroach Terminator" and the mutant wasp in "Parasitica".