Line #140 Main/PitifulWorms


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7	[[quoteright:301:[[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hulk_insect.png]]]]
8
9	->''"Another insect, CRUSHED!!!"''
10	-->-- '''Dong Zhuo''''s "officer defeated" quote in ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors 4''
11
12	Bugs are small. Bugs can be annoying. And bugs are easily squishable, given the right tools. So what better way is there to insult an opponent you don't want to be bothered with anymore? By comparing them to a bug (or worm, or maggot, or something else that crawls along the ground and can easily be stepped on), of course.
13
14	This is a favored technique among very powerful and/or very arrogant villains to intimidate their opponent or devalue their abilities before their climactic battle. More savvy heroes tend to shrug this off as lame posturing, but a bad guy will still throw this in from time to time, if only to make himself [[EvilIsCool sound cool]]. This can be [[LargeHam hammy]], especially if you [[FridgeLogic stop to think]] of [[ComicalOverreacting what that would actually look like]] if it were a normal human saying it to an actual bug.
15
16	Note that some VideoGame/{{Worms}} are less pitiful than others.
17
18	See also the DrillSergeantNasty, who uses this as a "motivational" tool ("You call that an insult, maggot?!"), If a character thinks of ''everyone'' this way, that's HumansAreInsects. Also compare YourLittleDismissiveDiminutive and DehumanizingInsult.
19
20	----
21	!!Examples:
22
23	[[foldercontrol]]
24
25	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
26	* In the Black Swordsman arc of ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', which begins the story InMediasRes, Griffith/Femto makes his BigBad debut by "greeting" Guts with, "Still squirming around in your pitiful existence, I see." taking note that he is practically a god at this point and Guts is a mere mortal. Guts "calmly" reminds him that [[DudeWheresMyRespect if it hadn't been for the bullshit that Guts went through for his goals]], Griffith/Femto would not have been [[InWithTheInCrowd in the position that he is in now.]]
27	* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', the Espada Barragan Luisenbarn is fond of this, repeatedly calling his enemies ants and insects even when he's not the one fighting them.
28	* In ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'', Teitoku Kakine calls Accelerator a worm at one point before trying to kill him.
29	* The [[ObstructiveBureaucrat corrupt eunuchs']] in ''Anime/CodeGeass'' call the people of China ants in their MotiveRant to Zero [[JustBetweenYouAndMe when they think they have him cornered]]. Too bad for them, this is all part of an EngineeredPublicConfession.
30	* Double meaning in ''Manga/CMonDigimon'', where Bun is both a weak monster (bug as in small and easily squished) but is also believed to be the result of an error in the v-pet(bug as in glitch). Similarly, in ''Manga/DigimonVTamer01'', Neo Saiba does compare opponents to bugs (small, easily squished) but considers Taichi and Zeromaru to be bugs in that they aren't squished when they are supposed to be (errors in the system).
31	* ''Anime/{{Daimos}}'': When Raiza suggests that Richter turn to the humans for help after it's found out that [[spoiler: Olban is a traitor]], he vehemently refuses and compares the human race to worms.
32	--> '''Richter:''' You idiot! Raiza, what a naive idea! You've really lost the plot, Raiza! Do you think they'll abandon their hatred for us!? [[spoiler:Even if we temporarily co-operated with them, as soon as we guide them back to their home, there is no doubt that they will eradicate our homeland together with Olban!]] Don't say such things! I will never let the Earthling worms kill the people of Baam!
33	* The double meaning continues in ''[[Anime/DigimonAdventure Our War Game]]'', where Kuramon is compared to a bug, in that Digimon are not supposed to directly appear on the internet, and a bug in that Taichi and Yamato's monsters are criticized for not easily squashing it like they should have.
34	* Children under the influence of the Dark Spore in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'' get an attitude of superiority to normal humans, and often compare ''anyone who's not them'' to "insects".
35	* ''Franchise/DragonBall'':
36	** In the Latin American dub, Vegeta's insult of choice, is to call his opponents "insecto". This is even after his HeelFaceTurn.
37	** ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': Cementing his status as the BigBad of the story arc, Frieza often delivers insults like this to his foes. His [[{{Leitmotif}} theme song]] in ''Kai'' also has lyrics to this effect, describing his subjects as worms and insects before him.
38	--->''Did you really think that three little ants could defeat a dinosaur?''
39	** ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'': Zamasu, [[spoiler:the Future one]], outright describes the mortals as "insignificant worms" at one point. Which is all the more jarring for him when he's [[spoiler:nearly trapped by the Evil Containment Wave, forcing him to acknowledge that Goku and Co. ''do'' pose a threat to his and Goku Black's plans.]]
40	* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', the dark guild Eisenwald refers to the members of the titular guild as "flies". They don't really make notice of it, except for Natsu who brilliantly gives the taunting Kageyama his comeuppance by [[InsultBackfire punching him and naming the attack "Fly Punch"]].
41	** TheDreaded Black Wizard Zeref believes that the even ''more'' dreaded Black Dragon of the Apocalypse Acnologia chooses not to speak to humans [[spoiler:(despite technically still being one himself)]] because he sees them are mere vermin.
42	* In ''Literature/FateZero'', Gilgamesh calls one of the Assassins a worm after slicing his head open with one of his [[StormOfBlades flying swords]].
43	* Father in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' once said humans are so insect-like compared to him that they don't even deserve his contempt as his homunculus give.
44	* In ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'', Zorin Blitz talks about swatting Pip Bernadotte "like a fly", [[spoiler:which makes Seras [[UnstoppableRage angry]] enough to [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]]]].
45	* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'': Dio Brando does this a lot. For example, when standing on a floating rock about to fight the man in the funny hat.
46	* In ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', Fate boasts at one point, "You are as an ant before an elephant."
47	* Narberal Gamma in ''Literature/Overlord2012'', who hates humans and sees them as [[FantasticRacism inferior]] to [[MonsterAdventurers heteromorphic races]], constantly insults humans by referring to them as various types of insects and other lowly creatures. She gets pretty creative in terms of the range of species she covers with these insults -- at one point, she even calls an enemy a '''planarian'''. She does not tone the attitude down at all when she interacts with humans while posing as one herself, either. Fortunately, most people simply assume that she is a haughty and arrogant IceQueen, remaining blissfully unaware that if it weren't for Momon's orders, she would not hesitate a second before slaughtering everyone in the room.
48	* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'': Jin-e tends to call weak fighters and non fighters bugs.
49	* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'': Throughout the Fairy Dance arc, Sugou Nobuyuki/Oberon sees himself as [[AGodAmI the god]] of [=ALfheim Online=], and thinks so little of Kirito that he calls him, among other things, a "cockroach", a "piece of trash", and "scum".
50	* ''Anime/VoltesV'': [[TheBeautifulElite Haughty]] [[AristocratsAreEvil Noble]] [[AliensAreBastards Prince]] [[LongHairedPrettyBoy Heinel]] loves doing this. Over the course of the series, he compares humans to "worms", "[[ItMakesSenseInContext hornless bugs]]" and "insects". [[spoiler:In the final episode, he calls [[EvilUncle Zambajil]] a "maggot" before flinging a dagger at him]].
51	* In ''Anime/YuGiOhTheMoviePyramidOfLight'', Anubis has this to say to Kaiba, whom he's been possessing until he's finally strong enough to emerge in his own body.
52	-->'''Anubis:''' You have served me well, little worm, but [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness you have outlived your usefulness]]! ''(tosses Kaiba aside)''
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder:Comic Books]]
56	* Epic example from ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo''. [[spoiler:Mr. Mind, who appears in most stories as a tiny, telepathic caterpillar who needs the help of other villains to fight his enemies, has become the Hyperfly. Now the size of a planet, he chases down Booster Gold and Rip Hunter...]]
57	-->''I have you now. You insects.''
58	* The fourth issue of ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'' has Superman compare humans to bugs swarming in the sun while under the effects of Black Kryptonite.
59	* ''ComicBook/AmalgamUniverse'': ''Spider-Boy Team-Up'' has Kang the Time-Conqueror refer to Spider-Boy and Spider-Boy 2099 as insects, resulting in the two young heroes correcting him.
60	-->'''Kang the Time-Conqueror:''' You can't get away with this, you little insects!\
61	'''Spider-Boy:''' #1, sure we can! And #2, spiders aren't insects!\
62	'''Spider-Boy 2099:''' How can you conquer time -- when you don't even know simple biology!
63	* In one issue of ''ComicBook/BatmanArkhamUnhinged'', Bane has broken into the church where Cash, the medical staff and political prisoners are holed up. Cash confronts, and Bane says that he is an insect to him. Cash's pure badass response
64	-->''"Good! Then feel my sting!"'' SLASH!
65	* ''ComicStrip/BringingUpFather'': Maggie calls her husband Jiggs "insect" whenever he does something she disapproves (that is whenever he breaths). In one strip, she hears him snoring on the armchair and slaps on it screaming: "Insect! Wake up!" Actually, it is a real insect, a bee, [[TakeThatScrappy that promptly stings Maggies' already-big nose.]]
66	* ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'': The seventh issue of the 1987 series has Shrapnel dismiss Karma, Rhea and Scott as gnats that are in his way.
67	* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': Galactus has a tendency to refer to those who are lesser beings in his eyes as "gnats", "worms" and the like.
68	* At the end of ''[[ComicBook/GIJoeVsTheTransformers G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War]]'', Serpent O.R. refers to Hawk as an insignificant flea during their final confrontation.
69	* ''ComicBook/GIJoe2016'' had the Decepticon Skywarp frequently refer to the Joes as "insects".
70	* The 44th issue of ''ComicBook/Hardware1993'' has Hardware called an insect by a K'lumnii guard.
71	* ''ComicBook/HelOnEarth'': H'el refers to the ComicBook/{{Teen Titans\|New52}} as insects.
72	* ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'': The first issue had the Hulk swat aside Rick Jones while exclaiming "Get out of my way, insect!"
73	* ''ComicBook/JLAAvengers'': The crossover begins with Terminus outright referring to the Justice League as pitiful worms.
74	* The 104th issue of ''ComicBook/JourneyIntoMystery'' had the Storm Giant Skagg refer to Thor as a tiny insect.
75	* In the ''[[Characters/GLOrangeLanternCorps Larfleeze]]'' ongoing by Keith Giffen, the character N'odens, Laord of the Hunt frequently calls people "gnat", "worm" and the like, which results in a recurring gag near the end where Green Lantern G'nort is called "gnat" by N'odens and he responds by correcting him on the pronunciation of his name.
76	* In the 19th issue of the 2011 ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'' series, Tharok gloats that the Legion are but fleas on a giant's arm.
77	* ''ComicBook/NewGods'':
78	** In issue 8 of ''Mister Miracle'', the Lump at one point calls Mister Miracle a gnat.
79	** Issue 11 of ''Mister Miracle'' has one of Dr. Bedlam's animates call Oberon a "defiant flea".
80	** Kalibak is fond of calling people "earth-worms".
81	* ''ComicBook/NewTeenTitans'':
82	** In issue three of volume one, Mammoth refers to Robin and Changeling as insects as he throws them across the room and gloats that they can't hurt him.
83	** During the Titans' first confrontation with Trigon in volume one, issue five, Trigon refers to the heroes as insects.
84	* ''ComicBook/ShadeTheChangingMan'': Issue six of Steve Ditko's original series has Khaos refer to some men trying to stop him as insects.
85	* Due to his motif, ComicBook/SpiderMan's enemies often do this. Of course, if anyone is so foolish as to refer to him as an "insect", he'll be quick to remind them that he's actually an ''arachnid''.
86	* ''ComicBook/TheSupermanAdventures'':
87	** The seventh issue has an enlarged Jax-Ur refer to the people below him as fleas.
88	** In the 28th issue, Kalibak calls Desaad a treacherous ant.
89	** The 66th and final issue has Kalibak refer to Luthor as a "stupid earthworm".
90	* Issue 31 of ''ComicBook/Titans2010'' has Osiris' internal narration refer to the people frightened by his rampage as ants.
91	* ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'':
92	-->'''Dr. Manhattan:''' The world's smartest man is no more a threat to me than the world's smartest termite.
93	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'':
94	** The 100th issue has the White Magician mockingly refer to Diana and Artemis as fleas.
95	** In the seventh Annual, a Cyclops insults Inspector Indelicato by calling him a mosquito.
96	* At one point in the DC and Creator/MilestoneComics crossover ''ComicBook/WorldsCollide1994'', Rift swats ComicBook/{{Static}} away while calling him a little stinging insect.
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder:Fan Works]]
100	* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': Ghidorah has called humans, including a brave Bone Singer who communicated with it long ago when it was frozen, "insects". Vivienne, having been reborn as part of [[TwoBeingsOneBody Monster X]] alongside San, is a heroic case: she isn't immune to mentally calling Alan Jonah and/or his men (who caused her and San a lot pain) "insects" when she's sufficiently enraged and is acting.
101	* In ''Fanfic/TheBridge'', Grand King Ghidorah often calls his opponents things like cockroaches and worms. [[InsultBackfire Megalon points out he actually resembles a giant cockroach]].
102	* In ''[[Fanfic/TheHeartTrilogy Heart of Ashes]]'', King Wilhelm of Dorwinion tries to assert his authority to [[VillainProtagonist Smaug]] while comparing him to a worm. The [[HumanityEnsues dragon-in-human-skin]] responds with a scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech in which he turns the worm-comparison around.
103	-->'''King Wilhelm''': I am a king, and you are nothing more than a worm beneath my boot!\
104	'''Smaug''': A ''worm''… What ''lovely'' titles you give both to yourself and to me. But I have seen kings and empires fall in just one day, all gone in a cloud of smoke… And just now, as your narrow-minded advisors tell you, self-proclaimed kings are falling day by day, to die in the dirt, and be nothing but food for the crows and the ''worms''.
105	** Smaug later calls Vathvael's people worthless worms when he attacks the city in the climax.
106	* ''Fanfic/ALinkBetweenWorldsTheNovelization'': As in the game, Yuga is literally incapable of opening his mouth without comparing everyone around him to worms and insects.
107	* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'':
108	** Both versions of the story feature a few moments where the uber-powerful Kyril compares other people to insects, making him a rare heroic example.
109	*** In the original version, Kyril encounters Shamuhaza a second time and calls him, [[spoiler:now as an [[InsectoidAliens insectoid]] EldritchAbomination]], "small and insignificant" in his BadassBoast, as if he is mocking Shamuhaza for [[spoiler:turning into an actual bug]] to fight him. Not that it matters anyway, as Kyril himself [[spoiler:is a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] with far more power and experience]]. The following narration says it all:
110	---->''And all the while, [[spoiler:[[GiantEyeOfDoom a great eye]] stared down upon him, watching his [[FateWorseThanDeath agony]] with callous disinterest]]. As if watching a bug pinned to the table by a needle.''
111	*** In Chapter 4 of the remastered version, Kyril internally remarks that he doesn't bother sparing Hicks, one of Vault's compatriots, any attention because he sees him as an insect.
112	*** In Chapter 6 of the remastered version, Kyril is reminded of vermin upon witnessing a group of Black Dogs molesting Chloe, their depravity being similar to how tainted Yharnam's people were.
113	** In the remastered version, The Rat, a demonic entity, sees the existence of Alicia, Maia, and Kaguya (all humans) as lower than an insect's.
114	* In ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'', [[EldritchAbomination Nyarlathotrot]] tells the heroes that ponies are less than bacteria to him.
115	* The villain Omagog from this [[http://www.geocities.ws/prhiddenwar/Hw45.html Power Rangers fic]] is inordinately fond of this insult. Given the setting, he's able to take it [[MakeMyMonsterGrow a step further.]]
116	* ''Fanfic/RosarioVampireBrightestDarkness'':
117	** Hex, Pandora, and Babylon can barely form a sentence without derisively calling humans and monsters "lesser beings."
118	** The dark Falla likes to refer to humans and other monsters as ants.
119	** In Act III chapter 41, Kuyou explicitly states that, as far as he's concerned, humans are the equivalent of ants and dirt.
120	** In Act V chapter 36, during the school attack, Jacqueline outright refers to the humans as "filthy bugs."
121	* In ''[[Fanfic/TheUltimateEvil The Stronger Evil]]'', [[SealedEvilInACan Shendu]] calls [[OracularHead Tarakudo]] a worm as a part of his BadassBoast when [[EvilVersusEvil the petrified Demon Sorcerer repels the flying head of an Oni King]].
122	-->'''Shendu''': Do you feel it - [[CastingAShadow shadow]]-''worm''?! That is a smidgen of the force of '''true''' power! Savour this small glimpse of hope you have. For it is only this [[TakenForGranite stone casing]] which restricts me from tearing you asunder. If I were free of this skin, you would be in trouble.
123	[[/folder]]
124
125	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
126	* ''WesternAnimation/ABugsLife'' is about ants, so the antagonist Hopper has to go one step further with his insults.
127	-->'''Hopper:''' You piece of dirt! No, I'm wrong. You're lower than dirt. You're an ant!
128	* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'', Pain and Panic, minions of Hades, use this trope on ''themselves'', to demonstrate their unworthiness compared to their boss.
129	-->'''Pain and Panic:''' We are worms! Worthless worms!
130	* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame\|Disney}}'': Early in the film, Frollo outright compares the Gypsies to ants. For emphasis, while explaining his genocidal intentions to Phoebus, he squishes an ant nest.
131	[[/folder]]
132
133	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
134	* ''Film/ThreeNinjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain'': When the SWAT team shows up to help, [[BigBad Medusa]] says, "We'll just have to swat them like the bugs that they are." Her team then takes them out with an electric fence.
135	* Non-villain example from ''Film/GoldenEye''. [[LoveInterest Natalya]] tells off her former partner [[PlayfulHacker Boris]], who has [[FaceHeelTurn joined Trevelyan]].
136	-->'''Natalya:''' This is not one of your games, Boris! Real people will die! You pathetic little worm...
137	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
138	** Loki in ''Film/{{The Avengers\|2012}}''.
139	--->'''Director Fury:''' We have no quarrel with you.\
140	'''Loki:''' An ant has no quarrel with a boot.
141	** Later, when Loki is thrown into a cell designed to contain the Hulk, Fury informs him he can be ejected into the sky at any time if he misbehaves, then says, [[IronicEcho "Ant, meet boot."]]
142	** In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Spider-Man lands several hits on Thanos using Doctor Strange's [[TeleportSpam portal-spamming]] abilities. Thanos eventually grabs him and drives him into the ground while snarling, "Insect!"
143	* In ''Outlaw of Gor'', the villainess of the movie sends away a sniveling man by declaring "Get out of here, you disgusting wooooooooooooooorm!"
144	* Rotti Largo from ''Film/RepoTheGeneticOpera'':
145	-->'''Rotti Largo:''' Maggots! Vermin! You want the world for nothing!
146	* In ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'' (also in the stage play), the reprise of ''"Super Heroes"'' includes the line:
147	-->''And crawling / on the planet's face / some insects / called the human race...''
148
149	[[/folder]]
150
151	[[folder:Literature]]
152	* In the ''Literature/AdrianMole'' book ''The Wilderness Years'', Adrian decides that when two holidaymakers inform the group that they "love all living things", anything they have to say is irrelevant, because they equate his life to that of a lugworm.
153	* In ''Literature/AllTomorrows'', one of the human colonies conquered by the [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Qu]] were forcibly turned into "Worms", which look like somewhere between inchworms and naked mole rats. They eventually evolve into the SnakePeople who form a civilization.
154	* Amos, the preacher from ''Literature/ColdComfortFarm,'' begins his church service this way before beginning his rant about the FireAndBrimstoneHell that awaits them all.
155	-->'''Amos:''' You... miserable... crawling worms... are yer here again then?
156	* In Literature/TheDresdenFiles, this is fairly stock. So much so, that if the monster of the week ''doesn't'' do this, then they're savvy. Like Cowl. Or Kincaid. Notice, they're both [[spoiler:probably at least a little bit]] human.
157	* Douglas Hill's ''Master of Fiends'' has a particularly unpleasant demon call the heroes insects.
158	-->'''Scythe:''' Some insects bite, crawler. Do you dare to risk my fangs? <brandishes CoolSword>
159	* ''Literature/{{Matilda}}'': The ChildHater Miss Trunchbull compares squashing children to destroying insects.
160	--> '''Miss Trunchbull:''' Squashing a bad girl is like trying to squash a bluebottle. You bang down on it, and the darn thing isn't there.
161	* ''Literature/AMemoirByLadyTrent'': One of the tablets Audrey and Kudshayn translate is called the "Worms Tablet" because it refers to [[spoiler:humans]] as worms compared to the [[spoiler:[[DraconicHumanoid Draconeans]]]] who wrote the tablet. [[spoiler:The Worms Tablet and two others turn out to be a forgery to stir up anti-Draconean sentiment.]]
162	* In the original ''Literature/TheMysteriousBenedictSociety'' book, after realizing that the members of titular society are spies, the BigBad Mr. Curtain refers to them and children in general as gnats that are easy to crush.
163	* In Creator/MattStover's {{novelization}} of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', Anakin is shown gradually having less and less regard for his wife as a person he loves and respects, more and more seeing her as a possession whose fear and pain, when he provokes them, are sweet. There's a scene where he looks at her and realizes he could crush her like a bug, and almost wants to.
164	* In ''[[Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain Taran Wanderer]]'', Morda attempts a ForcedTransformation on Taran into a worm, considering other animals not lowly enough. (He fails because Taran is unwittingly holding his SoulJar.)
165	* ''Literature/WarriorCats'' gives us a hilarious example in which a young apprentice makes up a weird dream that goes something like this "I was walking through the forest and [=ShadowClan=] cats were EVERYWHERE! And the river was running with blood, THUNDERCLAN BLOOD! I went to tell somebody in the camp but there were no [=ThunderClan=] warriors anywhere and a [=ShadowClan=] cat is all like 'We can crush [=ThunderClan=], because [=ThunderClan=] are no more powerful then a swarm of beetles, and Beetles can be crushed,".
166	[[/folder]]
167
168	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
169	* On ''Series/{{Angel}}'', ''Illyria'', oh so much. An Old One from when demons ruled the earth, used to being worshiped by millions or billions of beings, she was not especially impressed with the twenty-first century. Insects, vermin, and muck were all ways she described humanity.
170	* In ''Series/BabylonFive'', the Vorlons and Shadows take this attitude towards the younger races, humans included. Kosh is our main window on this ("The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote."), and he's actually ''way'' more engaged with us than the rest of his race.
171	* ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'':
172	** Subverted in "[[Recap/BlackadderSS1TheCavalierYears The Cavalier Years]]", when Blackadder kills an ant to demonstrate the doom of the Blackadders.
173	--->'''Blackadder:''' We must do something, otherwise the Blackadders are as doomed as that ant.\
174	'''Baldrick:''' What ant?\
175	'''Blackadder:''' ''[bangs a hammer on the table, then shows the underside to Baldrick]'' That one.
176	** In "[[Recap/BlackadderS3E5AmyAndAmiability Amy and Amiability]]" in the third series, Blackadder explains the chain of hierarchy to Baldrick.
177	--->'''Blackadder:''' It is the way of the world, the abused always kick downwards. I am annoyed, so I kicked the cat; the cat pounces on the mouse; and lastly, the mouse ''[Baldrick yelps]'' bites you on the behind.\
178	'''Baldrick:''' What do I do?\
179	'''Blackadder:''' Nothing, you are last in God's great chain, unless there's an earwig around that you'd like to victimize.
180	* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
181	** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS23E4TheUltimateFoe The Ultimate Foe]]", the Valeyard hurls this sort of insult at Glitz: "Insect! Microbe!"
182	** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E9EmpressOfMars Empress of Mars]]", on seeing her first human, Iraxxia the Queen of Mars asks, "What manner of fleshy worm are you?"
183	* In ''Series/{{Haven}}'', the villainous Mara is several centuries old and sees herself as superior to ordinary humans. She boasts to the heroes, "You're less than insects to me."
184	* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
185	** ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' has LargeHam Dr. Chaotica in the ''Film/{{Flash Gordon\|Serial}}'' {{expy}} holodeck program ''Film/TheAdventuresOfCaptainProton''.
186	--->'''Dr. Chaotica:''' Your pitiful fleet is no match for my space force! We'll crush you like insects!
187	** Gary Mitchell from the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E3WhereNoManHasGoneBefore Where No Man Has Gone Before]]" makes a similar threat as he's being beamed down to Delta Vega.
188	* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
189	** The Angels that adhere more openly to FantasticRacism deride humans as either monkeys or maggots. Zachariah, a higher-tier and particularly [[SmugSnake smug]] Angel tops it by describing Dean as "nothing but a maggot inside a worm's ass".
190	** Death compares Dean, and all humans, to microbes. Unlike the Angels, he doesn't seem particularly arrogant or racist about it. He's simply so old and powerful, that all living things are beneath him.
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Theater]]
194	* Professor Higgins in ''Theatre/{{Pygmalion}}'':
195	-->'''Eliza:''' Nothing wrong -- with ''you''. I've won your bet for you, haven't I? That's enough for you. ''I'' don't matter, I suppose.\
196	'''Higgins:''' ''You'' won my bet! You! Presumptuous insect! I won it.
197	[[/folder]]
198
199	[[folder:Video Games]]
200	* In ''VideoGame/AtelierSophieTheAlchemistOfTheMysteriousBook'', as you begin the battle with Luard, he declares "I possess the greatest knowledge in the world. Insects like you cannot stop me."
201	* In ''Blue's Journey'' for the Platform/NeoGeo, the Daruma Emperor says "You worm!" before attacking you.
202	* In ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'', Doviculus calls Lars an insect.
203	* In ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaJudgment'', Dracula is quite fond of this. Some of his victory quotes have him call his defeated opponents insects.
204	* Wizpig of ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing'' enjoys calling the racers "worms."
205	* When confronted for the first time in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', the [[BigBad Elder One]] informs the PlayerCharacter that they are "a gnat" - he sees them as nothing more than a nuisance, albeit a very effective one.
206	* The FinalBoss of ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'':
207	-->"Foolish one, you cannot do a thing with your meager powers... Powers worthy of a lowly insect."\
208	"You puny little Earth bugs!"
209	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
210	** The Emperor from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' (especially as he appears in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'') loves using this trope.
211	--->'''The Emperor:''' Insects may swarm, but they are insects nonetheless.
212	** This comes back to bite him after his ''second'' major defeat -- when he disbelievingly asks who the heroes are, Firion mockingly replies: [[IronicEcho "Just a swarm of insects."]]
213	** Kefka from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'': "Such magnificent power! You are like insects to me!"
214	** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'': Facing the party for the first time, Beatrix tells Freya and Zidane, "I once killed a hundred knights single-handedly... To me, you two are nothing more than insects."
215	* in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', this is the Fell Dragon Grima's favorite insult to anyone that opposes him.
216	* Along with "bakufu's dogs," this is one of Kazama Chikage's favorite ways to address the Shinsengumi in ''VideoGame/{{Hakuouki}}''.
217	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsFromZero:'' The FinalBoss tells the party [-THERE REMAINS NO REASON TO ALLOW YOU INSECTS TO LIVE ANY LONGER-].
218	* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel IV'', in the true ending as Rean [[spoiler:prepares to purge Ishmelga so the party can fight him, he tells him, "PATHETHIC MAGGOT... CEASE YOUR POINTLESS STRUGGLE!!!" Rean is not impressed.]]
219	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'': [[EvilSorcerer Yuga]] can barely finish a sentence without calling everyone around him worms and insects.
220	* [[BigBad O. Dio]] of ''VideoGame/LiveALive''[='s=] [[SpaghettiWestern Western]] chapter:
221	--> "It doesn't matter how many rats you rustle up... You won't be able to win against a [[GatlingGood Gatling Gun]]!!"
222	* This exchange from ''VideoGame/LufiaCurseOfTheSinistrals'':
223	-->'''Idura:''' Foolish vermin! Do you dare to defy me? I'LL CRUSH YOU LIKE WORMS!\
224	'''Tia:''' (to Maxim and Guy) Hey, are we worms, or are we vermin? Boy, he's really mad now.
225	* Galactus in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'' will sometimes start the FinalBoss fight by saying "You are not unlike an ant fighting the sun."
226	** He also says "Now I must squash you like the bug that you are!" when you beat him. [[SarcasmMode Sure, he is.]]
227	** Also, Super Skrull says at the beginning of a fight: "I will ''crush'' you like the ''insect'' you are."
228	* [[EldritchAbomination Sovereign]] in ''Franchise/MassEffect''.
229	-->'''Sovereign:''' Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh.\
230	'''Sovereign:''' Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident...
231	* Sigma from ''VideoGame/MegaManX 2'': "You are merely a bothersome insect, Mega Man X! It is about time that I crush you beneath my heel!"
232	* Liquid Snake from ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', in one of his ''first lines''!
233	-->'''Liquid Snake:''' I'm going to go swat down a couple of ''bothersome flies.''
234	* In ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'', one of the curse chests gloats this way after [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin cursing Mario]]:
235	-->Squirm and suffer like socially awkward worms!
236	* Inverted, in a bizzare way, in ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'': Lady Dialla addresses you as "Not-a-cockroach" or "Unbug" because you're interesting and resourceful, unlike her enemies (who do get called bugs and roaches). She's clearly ''intending'' to be affectionate this way, in her own insane way.
237	* ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'': Fitting his [[TheNarcissist personality]], Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo refers to the player as "vermin" in one of his prebattle quotes.
238	-->"Pokémon are my tools, and winning is my birthright. Get in my way, and you’ll be crushed, vermin."
239	* In ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'', in addition to [[AGodAmI claiming to be a god]], [[spoiler:Iris Zeppelin]] never miss an opportunity to call other people "worthless maggots".
240	* Dr. Batrachian from ''VideoGame/ShadowMan'': "You ant! You piece of excrement! You NOTHING!!"
241	* In ''VideoGame/SlyCooperAndTheThieviusRaccoonus'', the first boss hams it up with this little exchange:
242	-->'''Sir Raleigh:''' Ohhhhhh, I'm ever so sorry. How sloppy of me not to finish the job. Obviously we should have snuffed you out as well. So, without any further ado, let me make amends by, what... [[SuddenlyShouting BLOATING TO GARGANTUAN SIZE AND SQUASHING YOU LIKE THE INSIGNIFICANT BUG THAT YOU ARE!!!!]]
243	* ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'':
244	** Astaroth often calls his opponents "worms" and the like. Apparently, freaky hulking golems are hard to please. Who knew?
245	** ''Soul Calibur IV'' gives us this gem from one of the more evil sounding custom male voices:
246	--->'''Created Villain:''' ''[upon victory]'' Did you feel my power, you maggots?!
247	* Granga from ''VideoGame/StarFox64'' has two variations of this:
248	-->'''Granga:''' "I will not be defeated by this worm!" \
249	'''Granga:''' "You annoying little flies!"
250	* Albel Nox from ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime''.
251	* There's also Luca Blight's rant from ''VideoGame/SuikodenII'':
252	-->"You can round up a million maggots to defeat me... but you'll still all just be maggots!"
253	* [[BigBad Smithy]] of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' tells your party, "Come on, you puny ants!" just before the final battle with him.
254	* SHODAN from ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' also likes to use "insect" as an insult. Of course, this is one of her ''nicer'' threats...
255	* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'': Magnius of the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Desian Cardinals]] refers to his victims as "vermin", as seen when he performs a NeckSnap on a civilian [[InsistentTerminology who fails to call him "Lord Magnius"]]. When fighting him he repeatedly calls the party vermin, especially when using his special artes.
256	* The Soldier from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' often yells about maggots and spineless worms. (See DrillSergeantNasty above.) Lampshaded with one of the Halloween items, [[http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Larval_Lid which is an actual maggot]] [[PuppeteerParasite inside of his brain]], which changes the lines to add him apologizing for the InsultFriendlyFire.
257	* Wild Dog in ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis 4'' says the following to the VSSE, whose members he had to deal with in the entire series. He hams it up in the sequel with similar insults.
258	-->'''Wild Dog:''' A bunch of annoying little flies...
259	** In ''Time Crisis 2'', Ernesto Diaz compares the VSSE to roaches.
260	* In ''VideoGame/UltimaWorldsOfAdventure2MartianDreams'', many of the Martians refer to humans as worms, even non-maliciously. This is revealed to be because they are all plant-based beings, as are the majority of Mars' lifeforms, and the only native animals are a few varieties of worms, all primitive and hostile - "worm" is the only analogue they recognize. Quite a few of the friendlier Martians are even delighted and intrigued by the novelty of civilized and advanced "worms".
261	* The [[LargeHam melodramatic]] and [[NoIndoorVoice very shouty]] Councilor Vay Hek of ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' is very fond of comparing players to maggots, and will occasionally call your Ostron allies rats. Given his presence as [[TheHeavy the most proactive of your Grineer foes]], expect to hear him shouting about "Tenno maggots" an awful lot.
262	* In two of the endings of ''VideoGame/WhosLila'', the killer, [[spoiler:the titular Lila]], refers to the members of the Lawrence Fraternity as worms, and thinks of them as worthless beings to exploit.
263	* Ragnaros the Firelord from ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' and ''VideoGame/{{Hearthstone}}'' is fond of saying things like, "Die, insect!" Even in Hearthstone's ''Whispers of the Old Gods'' expansion, where world gone completely down the crapper inspired him to undergo a HeelFaceTurn and embrace the Light... He still shouts "Live, insect!" at whoever he is healing.
264	* Used and then subverted in ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'', in which Egil apologizes for calling the party "bugs" earlier [[WorthyOpponent after they put up a surprisingly strong fight against him]]. [[AesopAmnesia He then]] [[DoubleSubverted proceeds to call them "worms"]] upon their next encounter.
265	[[/folder]]
266
267	[[folder:Western Animation]]
268	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': In "Fire From Olympus", when Maxie Zeus sees Batman sneaking through his building's air ducts on his security cameras, he calls him a worm crawling through the dirt.
269	* The ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueAction'' episode "Inside Job" had Lex Luthor refer to the Atom as a gnat when the hero took his kryptonite ray.
270	* What was Comicbook/{{Darkseid}}'s reaction when Franchise/{{Batman}} gave him a flying kick with enough force to [[BadassNormal actually make him]] ''stumble a bit'' in the GrandFinale of ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]''. One pithy word before firing the [[EyeBeams Omega Effect]]:
271	-->'''Darkseid:''' Flea.
272	* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': In the GrandFinale, [[Characters/SamuraiJackAku Aku]] outright calls Jack's allies "insignificant insects."
273	* The ''WesternAnimation/SuperMansion'' episode "Let's Talk About Rex" has Blazar taunt the League of Freedom by comparing them to ants at a picnic.
274	* ''Series/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'': In "Mario Meets Koop-Zilla", King Koopa becomes the size of a skyscraper, and he calls Mario and Luigi insects.
275	* Crops up ''a lot'' in various continuities of ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}''. It [[JustifiedTrope helps]] that [[AliensAreBastards Decepti]][[HumongousMecha cons]] [[PunyEarthlings usually don't think too highly]] of humans for the most part.
276	[[/folder]]

Context Main / PitifulWorms