A YJA Moment - The Empires of Known Space (Part IV)

The insectoid race known as the Vine was a scourge of Known Space millennia ago.  Highly advanced in cyber-organic technology, they sent out genetically simulacrums known as Seedlings into other systems in order to facilitate the infiltration and takeover of their worlds.  After intervention and prolonged conflict with the Guardians of Oa and the Manhunters, they retreated to their homeworld of Okaara and signed a treaty of non-interference. In the intervening years, the Vine has grown increasingly xenophobic and isolationist, forming a quasi-religion around The Shanhara, a mythical technological artifact from the dawn of their history.

After the peace treaty, some of the Vine rebelled against the constraints placed upon them by the Guardians.  They left Okaara and formed their own separate society called The Reach. Unable to directly infiltrate, they created the Scarabs which they would use to empower individuals from other worlds and slowly corrupt them to the Reach's cause.  The Scarab heroes would then create a favorable climate for the eventual arrival of the Reach, allowing them to form trade agreements that would eventually lead to outright assimilation.  After a disastrous attempt to annex Earth, the Green Lantern Corps has declared the treaty violated and have resumed their actions against the Reach.

After the emergence of the Celestials, but before the rest of the Universe species became self-aware, the First Ones walked the stars.  With technology and perceptions far beyond the younger races, these beings have trouble interacting with the rest of Known Space.  Most are content to exist on the homeworlds far from the rest of intergalactic civilizations.  The only exceptions are the Vorlons, which have in the past openly interfered in planetary affairs; and the arachnid-looking Shadows, who covertly foment aggression,  conflict, and outright warfare in a universe-wide eugenics project.