Laigreks were a predatory insect species from the Outer Rim world of Dantooine, a grassy planet. These non-sentient creatures were found in the dark, humid underground areas of Dantooine. Their bodies consisted of six legs, black exoskeletons, and red and white undersides. A pair of horn-like structures protruded from their heads, which also featured bulbous red compound eyes. Prior to 3956 BBY, laigreks were absent from the area around Dantooine's Jedi Enclave. They were first seen five years after the Sith Empire, under Darth Malak, bombarded the Enclave during the Jedi Civil War. These creatures inhabited the underground regions near the former Jedi academy, but following the bombardment, they began to infest the academy's lower levels. During the Khoonda outpost's attempt to control Dantooine, laigreks became a menace to salvagers seeking artifacts in the Enclave, frequently killing those who sought treasure. While they sometimes left the Enclave's sublevel, they generally left the surrounding areas to other beings.
The laigrek, an insect species indigenous to the Outer Rim Territories world of Dantooine, possessed six scythe-shaped legs and a multi-layered, armored exoskeleton. Their flexible bodies allowed them to move on all six limbs, or to rear up on their four hind legs, using their two forelimbs for attack. This posture doubled their height, making them about half the size of most Humans. The back of their armored shell was a glossy black, while their undersides were red and white. Small black horns extended from the rear of their bodies, and thorn-like protrusions protected their sides. Each leg had two joints, with the inner edges of their knife-like lower limbs being serrated. Their heads featured two large black knobs with blood-red compound eyes. Additionally, they had two thorn-like antennae on the top of their heads and tricuspid mouthparts.
A subspecies of laigrek existed, which was both larger and more aggressive. This variant, referred to as a "deadly laigrek," could breathe fire at close range and withstand high temperatures, making them more dangerous.
Laigreks were quick and lethal predators, capable of hunting and killing Humans or other large prey, making them formidable foes for all but the best-equipped travelers. These non-sentient creatures typically remained secluded, but were always alert for intruders. Upon detecting trespassers in their territory, laigreks reacted rapidly and attacked swiftly. Their primary attack method involved using their forelegs as large claws to slash at their victims, along with biting with their sharp mouths. They were generally found in small groups and rarely alone. When running or walking, they moved close to the ground, allowing their forelegs to touch the surface for increased speed. They frequently emitted a chirping shriek.
During the Jedi Civil War in 3956 BBY, forces of the Sith Empire led by Darth Malak bombarded the Jedi Enclave in an attempt to eliminate the Jedi gathered there. Following the attack, the Sith briefly occupied Dantooine, displacing or executing many prominent settler families. Five years later, when the Jedi Exile arrived on the remote planet, the Enclave's ruins had become infested with laigreks, which had spread from their natural habitats in the planet's hilly regions, particularly within the sublevel. This posed a significant threat to those attempting to salvage Jedi artifacts from the ruins, a trade that the Khoonda government relied on for income.
As salvagers saw a chance to loot the Jedi Enclave's ruins, the area around Khoonda saw an influx of people hoping to plunder the ruined academy of its valuables, which were initially abundant. However, the presence of numerous laigreks made venturing into the sublevel extremely dangerous. To mitigate the risk of laigrek attacks and regulate the artifact trade that Khoonda depended on, special permission was required to access the sublevel. At one point, a farmer named Suulru attempted to take a shortcut home near the Enclave ruins. He was attacked by laigreks and forced to abandon his equipment to escape.
When a group of salvagers, including Jorran and led by Taepalae, tried to access previously unlooted areas, they encountered a swarm of laigreks. While most escaped, Jorran was trapped in the sublevel, where he sealed himself in a room to keep the laigreks away. The Exile later found him during her search for the Jedi Master Vrook Lamar. During this search, the Exile and her companions eliminated all the laigreks in the sublevel. She then informed the salvager that the area was safe, prompting him to leave quickly.
Laigreks first appeared in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, a computer and video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. If the player chooses the dark path, the Exile can lie to Jorran, claiming the area is clear despite the laigreks still being present. This leads to the salvager's death as he is overwhelmed by the insects.
According to content discovered by The Sith Lords Restoration Project, a team of enthusiasts working to restore cut content to the game, the reason for the infestation of the sublevel was to have been the Jedi Padawan Kaevee, who was accidentally left behind during the Jedi Order's evacuation from Dantooine. She was to have summoned the insects to protect the treasures and secrets within the ruined Enclave. Kaevee was only in training when the attack on Dantooine occurred and lacked the knowledge to distinguish between the dark and light sides of the Force. When the Sith attacked the Jedi Enclave, seeking Revan and asking questions only about him, Kaevee took refuge in the Enclave sublevel and began guarding it, summoning the laigreks to assist her. She grew fond of the creatures, calling them her "pets." The Exile was to have had several choices regarding the Padawan, including turning her to the dark side, but these were removed along with Kaevee herself.
The ambiguous aspects of this article were originally intended to be in the game but were cut due to time constraints, leaving several unresolved issues, including the origin of the laigreks. However, optional dialogue choices between the Exile and Atton Rand after escaping the Peragus Mining Facility suggest that the creatures were not entirely unknown.