Bebebebeque

Bebebebeque are an intelligent, very resourceful, diminutive insectoid race originating from the planet Gamma Velorum in the Tynt System. Sometimes called ’Beeks, they are a powerful economic power in the Federation in the 2270s thanks to an engineering talent for adapting and miniaturizing electronic components.

Biology
At 46 cm (18 inches) long and weighing 7.7 kg (17 pounds), interactions with humanoids require a small anti-grav sled to move about. They eat through mouths but speak through spiracles. They have two pairs of eyes, with the lower pair near-sighted, “ideal for close work with the hands.” Apparently herbivorous, they were able to digest a plant species called carpet leaf. “Markings on their shells distinguish identity and rank. They are organized into clans called Nests.” “They are gregarious and prefer being packed into tight spaces. Alone, they go insane.” They “never congregate in groups of less than twenty individuals.”

Interactions with other species
As a culture they have demonstrated a sensitivity to being offended, and were known to retaliate by cutting off trade, collapsing the economy of the offender. They established a colony on Mimit in the Zeta-Sagittarii System around 2258, located near the Kzinti Patriarchy, but lost contact with that colony after its inhabitants were enslaved by Kzinti. Bebebebeque have a noted hatred of Kzinti telepaths. 

When the Enterprise crew ferried a group of Bebebebeque delegates in 2273, per Starfleet orders the insectoids were given complete access to the ship and tinkered with many of the ship’s systems. There was some tension as the Starfleet crew adjusted to the buzzing about of ’Beek sleds, frustrating and fatiguing the humans. Their First High Councilor said it was “just as disturbing to us” to adapt to being around humans. The ’Beeks were most comfortable with Starfleet's engineers.