The trolls as insects (i might draw them later)
Aradia Megido - Maroon Ghost Moth (Elhamma australasiae)
Moths have been repeatedly portrayed as a sign of death. Also, their fluffiness matches the one of Aradia's hair XD. When I read this one's name it was inevitable (ghost???, maroon??, literally her oh my gooood).
Tavros Nitram - Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)
Mostly based off of the Summoner and Rufioh having wings, I didn't want to make it a monarch butterfly because Tavros is in no way royalty.
Sollux Captor - Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
Pretty self explanatory, Sollux always had a connection (and obsession) with bees. They also sting, which is kind of a metaphor for the psionics.
Karkat Vantas - Seven Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)
Ladybirds are always seen as special, even though this instance is not a mutation per se, it's special and red. Also, ladybirds are commonplace pests (which is kind of what Karkat is to HIC).
Nepeta Leijon - Pale Green Assassin Bug (Zelus luridus)
I looked up some good bug hunters and I got assassin bugs, nepeta is the mightiest of huntresses, so it fits.
Kanaya Maryam - Green Headed Ant (Rhytidoponera metallica)
I was doubting wether to make Kanaya an ant or a silk moth, but ultimately, moths are a better representation of Aradia, and ants mimic jade-blood's function in troll society better. A part from being green, this species of ant apparently has a nice bite, which is representative of Kanaya's fierceness.
Terezi Pyrope - Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)
I am aware that the dragonfly pictured is male, just ignore that lol, headcanon the trolls as hermaphroditic (i will post about their biological cycle hehe). Dragonflies are said to be insect's best predators, Terezi is also a vicious and precise hunter, if not of other trolls literally, of outcomes and possibilities (she is intelligent, and a Seer of Mind).
Vriska Serket - Peacock Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica)
Also pretty self explanatory, it's a blue spider, therefore Vriska Serket. Spiders in general are already a good representation of how she is percieved (with fear lol). Yea, simple explanation.
Equius Zahhak - "Pure Blue" Giant Flower Beetle (Mecynorhina torquata)
The strongest of bugs are beetles (among some types of ants, who are better described as proportionally strongest). This particular one is also pretty big and strong, and coincidentally presents this type of coloration.
Gamzee Makara - Purple-Winged Grasshopper (Titanacris albipes)
Originally was going to be a praying mantis, but the orchid mantis was just too perfect for Feferi. Locusts also have ties to religion and mythology, which was my main focus for finding Gamzee's insect (they have been, fittingly, a symbol of destruction for eons).
Eridan Ampora - Canopy Mosquito (Sabethes cyaneus)
Tbh, I based most of this decision off of the fact that Eridan is annoying (I don't hate him, it's just his personality, unfortunately). Also, mosquitos breed in water (at least that's what my parents always told me) which matches the aquatic theme.
Feferi Peixes - Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
Feferi is the troll I had the most trouble with. Originally I tried keeping up with the aquatic theme and had found Ranatra linearis, a stickbug that looks like a mantis and hunts little fish. I discarded the option because even though it was aquatic, the connections with Feferi kind of ended there.
I then tried to search for a bug that had "empress" in the name, and had chosen Megapomponia imperatoria, a giant as fuck cicada. It didn't convince me either though.
I chose the orchid mantis because, mantises are cutthroat, good hunters and pink as fuck. If that's not a description of the tyrian blood caste I don't know what is.
I wanted to make one of these drawing comparisons to different species of ants. There exist some cool af ants out there, I might do it.
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