LEGO Ideas 21342 The Insect Collection boasts new coloured and printed pieces

A number of new recoloured and printed pieces have already been spotted in the upcoming LEGO Ideas 21342 The Insect Collection.

The LEGO Group this week revealed the first official look at 21342 The Insect Collection, with the upcoming LEGO Ideas set based on a successful submission from fan designer José María. The model will be launching on September 4 for LEGO Insiders and for everyone else from September 7, priced at £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99.

The 50th LEGO Ideas set includes 1,111 pieces and offers up three brick-built creatures, plus a small honeybee and a tiny 7-spot ladybird on a 1x1 tile. The three primary insects sit on individual diorama displays, complete with various flowers and greenery, simulating their natural habitats.

Some of the most striking aspects of 21342 The Insect Collection are the various bold coloured elements used for the creatures, many of which are new to the LEGO Ideas set. A number of these recoloured and unique printed pieces have already been spotted by New Elementary, with a recent Instagram post showcasing a selection of what they’ve discovered so far.

For starters, the morpho butterfly boasts 4x4 curved tiles in blue as part of its bold wing designs, as well as 3x3 curved tiles in dark azure. The insect also gains a few new printed pieces in the shape of 2x2 curved black tiles and 1x1 round tiles with butterfly patterns.

The Chinese mantis uses serrated NINJAGO swords in lime for the tips of its forearms, said to be the first opaque recolours of the parts since 2021. The insect also has more elements in lime, such as a candle and bar holder with handle pieces, plus printed eyes and even sand green revolvers for feet.

The Hercules beetle receives a black tail/branch as part of its large front horn, as well as 4x4 dishes with four studs in bright light blue forming the small toadstools on its vignette.

While the honeybee may be one of the smallest creatures in the set, it does have a printed yellow egg for an abdomen and trans-clear fairy wings, with the element apparently reappearing in the build for the first time in 10 years. Finally, the 7-spot ladybird is a new printed 1x1 tile that makes its debut as part of the LEGO Ideas model.

21342 The Insect Collection will be priced at £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 and release for LEGO Insiders on September 4, with a wider launch from September 7. To find out more about the upcoming LEGO Ideas set, be sure to take a look at our recent video right here.

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