Deathmoth nests are large, semi-organic structures that serve as both a hive and an incubator for the colony. Constructed primarily from digested biological matter, plant fibers, and secreted resin, the nests maintain a humid interior ideal for prepupal growth. Using preexisting architecture as a base, the colony will add layers of organic matter approximately 60 to 100 cm thick. It is common for Deathmoths to construct columns out of indigestible remains, and coat them in the same semi-organic material. The Deathmoth's natural resin has a preservative compound that prevents rot from forming within the central hive.
Colonies of sufficient size that occupy expansive levels have been observed constructing smaller auxiliary nests at great distances from the central hive. These satellite structures serve as outposts for incubation, resource storage, and limited habitation. Thus allows the colony to extend its influence across vast areas without overburdening the primary nest.
Deathmoths are oviparous insectoids, laying anywhere from 12-700 eggs at a time. Both the Common and Empress Deathmoths use a retractable ovipositor located at the tip of their abdomen to attach their eggs to the lining of the central nest.
Fertilization Process
Female Common Deathmoths will use the nests fleshy upper layer to form an incubation pouch, usually in the crevices and corners of walls or ceilings. The mothers use their ovipositors to implant several dozen eggs into the sac; the eggs will later be fertilized by male Common Deathmoths. After several days, once the incubation sac is consumed, the mothers will relocate them to the center of the hive.
Physical Description
The Deathmoth eggs start at a similar size to mundane moths, around 3 to 5 mm, but grow significantly during the incubation process. They will absorb nutrients from their sac and rapidly grow over the course of several days. Eventually reaching a size of approximately 3 to 5 cm and will be stacked in columns by the mothers.
Deathmoth larvae are voracious and quite dangerous despite their relative size. They remain in this state from the time they hatch until they have stored enough energy for metamorphosis; this process usually takes about three weeks.
Physical Description
Larval Deathmoths average 5 to 10 cm in length, with a diameter of 4 cm, and their upper carapaces are covered in hollow quills measuring 7 cm. These quills secrete a paralytic toxin, making predation of the otherwise defenseless larvae rather difficult. They possess sharp serrated mandibles, used to easily consume flesh and plant matter. Due to a lack of wings, the larvae ambulate using a dozen segmented legs.
Behavior
In order to store enough energy for metamorphosis, the Larval Deathmoths will continuously consume the upper layer of the central hive, only breaking for ten-minute microsleep cycles. When threatened, the larvae will curl themselves into a spherical shape, fully exposing their quills for protection. During metamorphosis, the Larval Deathmoths will burrow into organic walls of the central hive and will remain in there for approximately 20 days before emerging as fully grown Deathmoths.
Female Common Deathmoths.
The Common Deathmoth is the most populous caste of the species, accounting for roughly 80% of the total Entity 4 population.
Physical Description
All Common Deathmoths share several features including: two pairs of membranous wings covered in scales and microscopic fibers, two compound eyes and two ocelli, a pair of feathered antennae, and six segmented legs ending in clawed tarsi.
Males are smaller, with wingspans of 30–35 cm and bodies 40–50 mm long. They have highly developed sensory antennae that are used for long-range colony communication. During pupation their mandibles become vestigial, replaced with a long, needle-like proboscis adapted for piercing and draining liquids.
Females are larger, with wingspans of 40–45 cm and bodies 60–70 mm long, bearing a thicker thorax and abdomen. Instead of a proboscis, they retain extended mandibles and reinforced pitchers suited for rending flesh. They also possess a specialized organ that produces a caustic fluid, used defensively and in the processing of organic matter for nests and incubation sacs.
Behavior
Males are typically docile scavengers, feeding on any liquid that can sustain them, including Almond Water and other supplies. They lack effective predatory tools and generally consume only dead or dying prey. Though fairly harmless on their own, a swarm can desiccate an incapacitated human in one to two hours. The male Deathmoths are commonly found a great distances from the central hive, conducting reconnaissance and relaying new information from the outer reaches of their territory. The male's relatively passive nature makes them the most easily domesticated variety.
Females, by contrast, are aggressive and become increasingly hostile closer to hive centers. They primarily hunt using swarm tactics; groups of Deathmoths coordinate to strip flesh from exposed areas, typically resulting in fatal blood loss. After successfully incapacitating a target, the swarm will reduce it into a gelatinous mass using caustic ejecta, which is then shaped into spheres and carried back to the hive. Both plant matter and animal remains are gathered this way, with skeletal remains often being found around hive sites. When stressed, females release pheromones that rally nearby males, other females, and Praetorians to their aid.
The Praetorian Deathmoth is by far the most formidable and aggressive variant of Entity 4. Though only consisting of approximately 15% of the total Entity 4 population, at least one is present within every colony. Due to their disposition and the danger they present, it is recommended to avoid Praetorian Deathmoths whenever possible.
Physical Description
The Praetorian Deathmoth is the second largest Entity 4 variation; they're nearly a meter tall and have bodies measuring between 15 and 20 cm in diameter, with a wingspan of approximately 60 cm. They are semi-simultaneous hermaphrodites, having functioning male genitalia, vestigial female genitalia, and other traits of the female Common Deathmoth. The most apparent physical deviation found in Praetorians is their eight legs that measure 70 to 75 cm; these legs are segmented and possess internal organs that secrete a potent paralytic toxin, that is used for predation and self-defense. The Praetorian's wings are semi-vestigial, only used for the propagation of concentrated pheromones, which it can spread up to five kilometers away.
Behavior
Praetorian Deathmoths are agile and will swiftly attack anything they perceive to be a threat. Using their appendages, they will generally strike at vulnerable areas to weaken or incapacitate their prey and have also been observed employing corrosive ejecta to further immobilize or damage targets. Once immobilized, the Praetorian will use several appendages to dismember the prey and relocate the remains to the central hive.
The highest populations are found congregating around Empress Deathmoths and escorting them during their migration. After a permanent nest is established, one or more Praetorians will remain to protect the colony. Empress Deathmoths are the only variation capable of laying Praetorian Deathmoth eggs.
The Empress Deathmoth is the most important caste in relation to the propagation of the species. Due to the inherent danger of interacting with an Empress, information regarding their internal biology and behavior is limited.
Physical Description
Empresses measure nearly ~75 cm in height and have a body length of ~1.5 meters, significantly larger than the other Entity 4 castes. With a total wingspan of nearly three meters, an Empress is capable of spreading pheromones between 15 and 25 kilometers away. Despite the size of their wings they are only capable of short bursts of flight due to their weight. Empresses have the longest antennae of the species, and, in conjunction with their pheromones, they are capable of controlling entire colonies from a centralized location. The Empress Deathmoths have elongated bodies, the lower half consisting of a large internal incubation chamber, allowing them to lay hundreds of Deathmoth eggs at a time.
Behavior
The Empress Deathmoths travel between levels, establishing new colonies along their migration path. They are always accompanied by a harem consisting of dozens of Praetorian Deathmoths, with whom they will engage in maternal polyandry. When threatened, the Empress Deathmoth can cause a frenzied state that causes erratic and highly aggressive behavior in all exposed Deathmoths. Empress Deathmoths typically do not interact or occupy the same level with another member of their caste. It is theorized that the presence of multiple matriarchs causes confusion amongst the colonies, and for this reason the Empresses are instinctually territorial.
Research into the mechanism by which new Empress Deathmoths are created is currently ongoing.
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