HOMO-MANTODEA

The Homo-Mantodea is a subspecies of human spawned by the 2020 Bug, though unlike most other cases, these symptoms did not manifest until some months after the event. The earliest victims reported strange feelings beneath their skin, as if bugs were crawling through their veins, which was largely attributed to paranoia. Only after segments of people’s skin started shedding away, revealing a hardened chitin like material, that these cases started being treated more seriously. 

It was eventually discovered that the afflicted subject’s minds had been rewired during the 2020 Bug, affecting the way it creates cells. These new cells resemble the structure of those found in insects, as such, the physiology of the body would change slowly over time, as old human cells die and are replaced by the new mutated ones. 

Those diagnosed developed to have a hard exo-skeleton with segmented limbs, often in a variety of vibrant colors with striking patterns. Some even developed useful insectoid abilities such as razor sharp pincers, antennae for communication, protective carapaces, silk glands and even wings. 

Though there is a vocal minority who abhor this new subspecies, for the most part the Homo-Mantodea carry out their lives as they had before. Apart from the initial rewiring, their minds seem to be completely intact, and they are able to continue contributing to society through their work and in their communities.