Just curious, what would the benefit be of making a "slave" or "worker" race when we already have stems? Also we don't just have a bug theme we also have a plant theme. I actually prefer the plant theme. A white tree against a black background might even make a good flag/banner if we want one.
I'm unsure if Stems have much in the way of personal initiative. That, and without souls they're better off fighting abroad than working as laborers in our holdings. But if they're smart enough to do these tasks, why not set aside a bunch of them for the job?
Also, GWG: Dogs are considered property under the law. And were, in fact, 'made'(in a manner of speech) to be subservient to humans. Is that so wrong?
I'm not saying we allow our people to mistreat and murder them willy-nilly(would you murder your dog(if you had one)?), but we would do well with a race of workers to tend to menial tasks.
Hell, if we can build them to have no attachment to family members, and love working, it'd work out fine. In other words: is it wrong to force a robot to work if it's been programmed to love work?
Also, if we do go this way, it's worth noting our internal economy will tank due to free labor(Romans?). Especially if everyone has bugs working for them. That or we end up with an all-powerful aristocracy(like the South in ye olde days) controlling everything economically with their free labor.