Lazerian BioTech
Tomorrows BioTech Today
- Intent: To create a unique beetle native to the planet of Lazerian IV
- Image Credit: https://chatgpt.com
- Canon: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: N/A
- Name: Crystal Shell Beetle
- Designation: Non-sentient
- Origins: Lazerian IV
- Average Lifespan: 16 years
- Estimated Population: Rare (in nature), Rare (lab grown)
- Description: Once a planet-wide species, the Crystal Shell Beetle was among the most stunning and biologically unique creatures of Lazerian IV. Its semi-translucent, gem-like exoskeleton, which naturally refracted light into brilliant hues, made it highly sought after for luxury jewelry and ornamental craftsmanship. However, over centuries of over-harvesting and habitat destruction, these beetles have become a rare and elusive species, now surviving only in isolated pockets of the planet's most protected regions, or in labs, as their shells have been discovered to have various medicinal and biophilic properties.
- Breathes: Type 1
- Average Height of Adults: 4cm
- Average Length of Adults: 10cm
- Skin color: Crystalline
- Hair color: They have fine, gray hairs on their legs and torso.
- Distinctions: Despite being called a beetle, they are actually arachnids, having only a two-part body (cephalothorax and abdomen) and eight legs. They are incapable of flight and do not spin webs. They also do not eat other arachnids or insects but extract minerals from crystals. They have a crystalline carapace which they shed often during growth, and their shedding's retain all the properties present in a living specimen, making their shedding's a prized commodity.
- Races: None
- Force Sensitivity: Non-Sensitive
- Despite its lightweight crystalline nature, their shell is stronger than reinforced durasteel.
- Their shells have the ability to self-heal when damaged.
- Their shells have bioconductive/bioelectric properties, which allow them to feel what's going on around them even if they cannot see it. Their shells retain this property even when discarded.
- The nature of their shells makes them a prized commodity for poachers.
- While excellent climbers, their heavy crystalline shells make them slower and more vulnerable compared to other arachnids.
- The beetles rely on their sensitive bioelectric field to detect surroundings, making them extremely vulnerable to high-frequency vibrations.
- Diet: Mineral Eater
- Communication: They communicate with each other via pheromones and sounds made by rubbing their legs together.
- Technology level: N/A
- Religion/Beliefs: N/A
- General behavior:
- Feeding & Mineral Absorption
- Crystal Shell Beetles sustain themselves by extracting nutrients from crystalline formations, preferring naturally occurring quartz, Lazercite, and other mineral-rich deposits.
- They use their mandibles to scrape small flakes from crystals and secrete a specialized enzyme that breaks down mineral structures into absorbable nutrients.
- Their shells gradually take on the color and composition of the crystals they consume, allowing for subtle environment-based adaptations over their lifespan.
- Defensive & Survival Instincts
- The beetles rely primarily on camouflage to evade predators, remaining motionless for extended periods to blend into their crystal-laden environments.
- When threatened, they exhibit two primary defensive behaviors:
- Stillness & Light Reflection – By remaining motionless and angling their shells toward a light source, they mimic the appearance of natural gemstones, deterring casual predators.
- Molted Decoy Shells – Some individuals can shed the outermost layer of their exoskeleton when attacked, leaving behind a hardened crystal fragment to distract a predator while they escape.
- They are extremely sensitive to vibrations, avoiding areas with high seismic activity or frequent foot traffic.
- Reproduction & Nesting
- Crystal Shell Beetles are solitary creatures, only gathering in small groups during mating cycles once every few years.
- Egg-laying process:
- The female buries her eggs near mineral-rich deposits, ensuring the larvae have an immediate food source upon hatching.
- Larvae are soft-bodied and vulnerable, feeding exclusively on powdered crystal dust until their first exoskeleton hardens.
- Due to their slow reproduction rate, juveniles take 2 years to reach full shell maturity, making the species highly susceptible to population decline from poaching or habitat destruction.
- Social & Territorial Tendencies
- Crystal Shell Beetles are non-aggressive and non-territorial, typically avoiding unnecessary encounters with other creatures.
- They tend to avoid direct interaction, even with their own kind, unless forced into close quarters by environmental limitations.
- While generally solitary, some populations exhibit communal nesting behavior, where multiple individuals gather in mineral-rich caverns, sharing feeding grounds without conflict.
- Sensory & Electromagnetic Sensitivity
- The beetles are extremely responsive to electromagnetic fields, likely due to their crystal-infused exoskeletons functioning as natural conductors.
- Some researchers theorize that this sensitivity allows them to detect shifts in planetary energy, possibly helping them locate ideal mineral deposits or avoid harmful radiation.
- This heightened perception makes them extremely reactive to artificial energy sources, causing them to flee from starship engines, power stations, or industrial zones.
- Activity Cycle & Lifespan
- Diurnal or Nocturnal?– The species varies by habitat:
- Cave-dwelling beetles are mostly nocturnal, preferring the safety of low-light conditions.
- Open-air populations are diurnal, feeding under natural sunlight where crystal deposits are more accessible.
- Their lifespan is estimated to be 12-20 standard years, but some particularly well-nourished individuals may survive even longer.
- Diurnal or Nocturnal?– The species varies by habitat:
- Feeding & Mineral Absorption
Once abundant across Lazerian IV, the Crystal Shell Beetle was a planetwide species revered for its gem-like exoskeleton, which made it a symbol of wealth and prestige. For centuries, Lazerian artisans and royals harvested the beetles' molted shells to craft jewelry, ceremonial armor, and luxury ornaments. However, as demand increased, poachers and traders began hunting live beetles, leading to a catastrophic decline in their population.
By the time conservation laws were introduced, habitat destruction and over-harvesting had driven them to near-extinction. Today, they survive only in remote mineral-rich caverns, protected reserves, and laboratories, with efforts to restore their numbers hindered by slow reproduction rates and illegal black-market trade. Once a common sight, the Crystal Shell Beetle is now a rare, almost mythical creature, its remaining populations fiercely guarded by conservationists and Lazerian authorities.
