The Arachnids (more commonly known as Bugs), are a fictional alien race from the movie Starship Troopers. Note that the bugs in the movie differ considerably of those in the novel on which it's based. In the novel, the bugs are called "Pseudo-Arachnids".

The bugs in the movie are basically portrayed as mindless insects. However, at the beginning of the film, when Rico and Carmen dissect another species of alien insects, the biology teacher states that the Arachnids have millions of years of evolution behind them and now have the ability to colonize planets "by hurling their spore into space". In the novel, it is established that the Bugs have spacecraft, beam weapons and advanced technology, far from the mindless insects of the movie.

Types of bugs

• Brain Bug—Leader of a Bug colony. It is created when a colony's size reaches three hundred generations. In the Movie, it is fed by drinking a human's brain.

• Tank Bug—Resembles a giant cockroach. Has the ability to launch a flame from its mouth.

• Plasma Bug—Resembles a giant firefly. Has the ability to launch a massive plasma burst into orbit, which can deflect an asteroid or slice a ship in two. It is most vulnerable when creating a plasma burst.

• Hopper—Resembles a giant wasp.

• Warrior—Most common. Has four legs and two giant pinchers which are used for defense.

• "Body snatcher"—Resemble small spiders. Enters through the mouth and take control of a person's mind. These bugs were used in an attempt to conquer the Federation. They were first seen in the sequel "Hero of the Federation".

See also

• Klendathu