Shrapnel (G1)


 * Shrapnel is a Decepticon Insecticon in the Generation 1 continuity family.

Animated continuity
The mercenary Insecticons landed on earth in their own space pod before the Ark crashed to Earth. (It is unclear whether this pod was launched from the Nemesis or not, as the dialogue seems to suggest maybe it was, but the Insecticons and Megatron's Decepticons do not seem to know each other.) Their pod crashed into the region that would become known as "Demon Swamp" and their computers adapted them to transform into insects and eat organic food to survive. The "Insecticons" apparently lived in the swamp for millions of year until discovered by Megatron's Decepticons. They form an uneasy alliance with Megatron, never coming fully under his command but working with the Decepticons when they could be convinced there was something (usually food) in it for them.

The Insecticons in the Cartoon were able to create vast clone armies of themselves at will, a formidable ability that my have been the reason they were able to maintain their autonomy from Megatron.

Generation 1

 * Shrapnel (Insecticon, 1985)