Mutually beneficial digestive system symbiotes
On an Earth-like planet, an intelligent species evolved in symbiosis with another species that lives in their digestive system and act as the microbial gut flora in humans do. What implementations of macro-scale creatures (such as insects or something similar) would allow them to take over as much of the functionality in their host's digestive system as possible?
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Intestinal worms
Intestinal worms are properly called "helminths," which most dictionaries will tell you are parasites. Exploiting their hosts, draining resources, sucking the life out of the body "“ that's what parasites do, by definition...Helminths have been a part of the ecosystem of the body for so many millions of years that they have become an integral part of that system. Mutualistic helminths help regulate immune function, stimulating our body to build regulatory networks of immune cells that decrease general inflammation without hurting our immune system's ability to respond to danger. In addition, these helminths produce their own array of anti-inflammatory molecules and give our immune systems much needed exercise, all of which decreases inflammation. (ref)
Our existing Earth systems are not quite what you're looking for. Some worms (the kind that change into moths and butterflies) are insects, though helminths are not. You could change this for your story. Intestinal worms have their own microflora so even if the worms do not take over the jobs of gut bacteria, they could (in an alien ecosystem) be a necessary intermediary.
It's a Russian nesting doll of sorts: Parasitic bugs that live in the human gut have their own set of gut bugs inside their intestines... "We were amazed to find that whipworms have their own distinct microflora" and "” similar to humans "” that the bacteria appear to aid in the parasite's health...The bacteria inside the parasite's intestine appear to be necessary for its growth...What's more, whipworms appear to be able to alter the gut bacteria of their human hosts to aid in their own survival. (ref)
If you really want an insect, create an insect worm that only goes through metamorphosis after leaving its host. Or expand your label of "insect" to include worms. Multiple species of worms on Earth are already adapted for the gut of higher animals so it would not be a stretch to create a species that fits your other needs.
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