Aburame Clan

The is one of the four noble clans of Konohagakure. They are characterized by their use of insects as weapons. The insects live in symbiosis within the body of the shinobi. At birth, members of this clan are offered to a special breed of insects called kikaichū as a nest, residing just under their host's skin. The clan members may also carry additional bugs in jars or gourds with them on missions. The insects can leave and enter their host's body through various pores. They feed on chakra as a food source, making them quite deadly. The relationship between the shinobi and the insects is mutually beneficial. The host grants the bugs shelter and allows them to feed off their chakra, their body becoming a living hive of tens of thousands of these bugs, and in return the bugs do the user's bidding, allowing the shinobi to perform ninjutsu-like techniques without the use of hand seals or chakra conversion.

A female bug can be left on a target, which then can be tracked by smell by the male bug, or scout bugs can be sent out and return to tell the host information about the area. For this reason, Aburame clan members are experts in espionage; they can communicate with the bugs, and the bugs specialize in stealth because they make no noise or motion during combat. In addition to utilizing insects in battle, the Aburame clan also studies insects. They were rivals of the Kamizuru clan, the bee users, until they defeated them in battle. A major defining trait of the Aburame clan is that all of its known members wear dark sunglasses that hide their eyes as well as wear clothing that covers up most of their body.

Even though their bug-related techniques are known only amongst the clan, a select few possess a special type of bug that is rare even among the clan's members. To date, only Shikuro and Torune are known to possess it.

It has also been shown that they possess the ability to communicate with other bugs and insects.

Trivia

 * means "oil woman". It also may be a variation of "Aburamushi" (油虫), which means "cockroach".