View source for Bug 'Mech

{{otheruses|a loosely defined group of 'Mechs|other uses|Bug}}

==Overview==
'''Bug 'Mech''' is an informal term used both within the [[BattleTech]] universe and among players and fans. It loosely refers to a group of [[BattleMech]]s that share one or more of the following characteristics:
*named after an [[w:insectoid|insectoid]] (or [[w:arachnids|arachnoid]]) animal
*relatively small (usually in the [[Light 'Mech|light]] weight class)
*fast-moving and mobile
*relatively weak individually
*relatively cheap
*easy to acquire and maintain, to the point of being considered an ubiquitous design

There seems to be an informal convention to give "Bug" names to 'Mechs that fulfill (most of) the latter five characteristics, and indeed many typical Bug 'Mechs do not exceed 20 tons which is the lower end of the light spectrum (with 'Mechs below 20 tons being classed as [[BattleMech#Ultralight|ultralight]] instead, such as the 15-ton FLE-14 variant of the ''[[Flea]]''). The only notable outliers are the 55-ton ''[[Scorpion (BattleMech)|Scorpion]]'' and the 70-ton ''[[Grasshopper]]''.

The entire concept appears to be strictly limited to the Inner Sphere, and [[Clan]] 'Mech designs are apparently not counted as Bug 'Mechs even when they technically qualify (e.g. ''[[Locust IIC]]'').

==Named Bug 'Mechs==
At its core, the Bug 'Mech group consists of the classic 20-ton trio of [[Scout (unit role)|scout]] 'Mechs, namely the ''[[Locust]]'', ''[[Stinger]]'', and ''[[Wasp]]''.<ref name=BW>''Brush Wars'', p. 142 (Insect Brigade special abilities: Named Bug 'Mechs are the ''Locust'', ''Stinger'', ''Wasp'', and ''Scorpion'')</ref>

Other light 'Mechs frequently identified as Bug 'Mechs include the ''[[Flea]]''/''Fire Ant'' (15 or 20 tons depending on the exact variant), ''[[Firefly]]'' (30 tons), ''[[Hornet]]'' (20 tons), ''[[Spider]]'' (30 tons), and ''[[Tarantula]]'' (25 tons), though these designs are considered to be somewhat rare or even practically extinct.

'Mechs that arguably qualify as Bug 'Mechs but apparently have not explicitly been referred to as such include the light ''[[Firebee]]'' (35 tons), ''[[Mantis (BattleMech)|Mantis]]'' (30 tons), ''[[Scarabus]]'' (30 tons), and ''[[Super Wasp]]'' (25 tons), and the low-end [[Medium 'Mech|medium]]-class ''[[Cicada]]'' (40 tons).

The ''[[Scorpion (BattleMech)|Scorpion]]'', a fast medium-class 55-ton design with more powerful weaponry, has been called a Bug 'Mech in at least one instance.<ref name=BW/>

The ''[[Grasshopper]]'', a heavy and powerful 70-ton 'Mech, would only qualify based on its name, and is not normally considered part of the Bug 'Mech group. (Notably, the GHR series of BattleMechs was originally thought to be named ''Ghost Hunter''; the name ''Grasshopper'' was only submitted in jest by design engineer [[Lucia Cavaletta]] – cavaletta being the Italian word for grasshopper – and later adopted against all odds in her honor.)

==Notes==
*The [[Insect Brigade]] [[mercenary unit]] was apparently named in reference to the Bug 'Mech concept, and they were noted to be particularly skilled pilots of Bug 'Mechs.
*The ''[[Falcon]]'' refers to the Bug 'Mech concept insofar as this 'Mech was described as a dedicated "Bug Hunter."

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Historical: Brush Wars]]''

[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:'Mech classifications]]