The best replacement for insects is bugs.

The best alternatives to insects are rated as following:
★★★★★  bugs
★★★★  spiders
★★★★  arachnids
★★  animals
★  non insects
★  insects
★  arthropods
★  crustaceans
  mammals
  reptiles
  bugs difference
  pests
  arachnid
  spider

Your alternative for insects is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about insects, one probably shouldn't forget about metamorphosis.

Other search terms related to insects and their ratings are:
★★★★★ metamorphosis
★★ incomplete metamorphosis
★★ complete metamorphosis
You have in mind a companion for insects and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of insects in all years. Click on graph for more.
insects
bugs
spiders