tassids

Tassids are a fictional taxon commonly used in speculative biology and science fiction to describe insect‑like, eusocial beings with hive‑based organization and coordinated behavior. They recur across various works, settings, and game lore, but there is no real biological basis or consensus for tassids outside of these fictional contexts.

In typical depictions, tassids range from small to moderate size and possess an armored exoskeleton, multiple legs, and sensory structures that enable tight social coordination. Many portrayals emphasize polymorphic caste systems, including workers, soldiers, and a reproductive queen, with caste roles reinforced by pheromonal or tactile signals. Communication is often portrayed as highly efficient and centralized within the colony, facilitating rapid defense, resource gathering, and nest maintenance. Some versions include winged reproductives or seasonally shifting morphologies to adapt to changing environments.

Ecology and life history are varied across works, but tassid societies are usually described as highly organized and resilient, capable of surviving in subterranean nests, forest canopies, or urban ruins. Diets range from plant sap and detritus to specialized symbiotic relationships with fungi or bacteria. Interactions with humans in fiction frequently explore themes of coexistence, diplomacy, or conflict arising from differing notions of autonomy and collective welfare.

Notes on origin and usage: tassids are a construct of storytelling and worldbuilding rather than a real taxon. They are used to explore ideas about collective intelligence, social structure, and encounters with extraterrestrial or nonhuman civilizations.