Inistas

The Pests of Acciphere

Inistas are small insects, pests that infect plants. They cause great damage to crops like wheat, corn, and rice. They also drastically affect forests. During an Elders’ Trial, the Council Of Elders voted unanimously to declare Inistas an unwanted species, basically issuing a permit for their extinction.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Inistas are very small insect-like creatures. They are hardly the size of small ants. They have no eyes, nose, or ears. Their entire body is covered with bristles, with mouths are the bottom of those bristles. The bristles act as legs, sometimes antennae, and help in the ingestion of plant life. Inistas also have small pores all over the body for the expulsion of waste material and spores. They are incredibly fragile creatures. A small rise in heat, running water, and even sometimes strong winds can kill them easily. This inherent fragility is probably why they haven’t taken over the world yet.

Genetics and Reproduction

Inistas reproduce asexually, by forming spores.
Inistas, after development inside the spores, move in search of a plant. They start climbing the plant, always moving towards the skies and the top of the plant, never downwards. They eat the plants’ bark and leaves along the way, growing bigger and bigger. Once they climb to the tip of a plant, either of its leaves, branches, or the main stem, they attach themselves to the plant and remain that way for a day. During this time, they produce spores, which are more resilient to the conditions than adults. Each adult can produce up to a thousand spores. After producing the spores, the Inistas die. These spores get carried by the wind, water, and sometimes animals to different locations. The spores stay dormant until suitable conditions arise, after which the spores start developing into Inistas. This development takes place for approximately 1 to 2 days, after which the Inistas start searching for a plant again, repeating the cycle.

Ecology and Habitats

Inistas prefer grasslands or farming areas as habitats. They can also survive in forests. Wherever Inistas are, they cause great damage to local flora. Some plants have evolved defenses against Inistas, using sap or chemicals to kill them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Inistas eat green plants, mostly leaves. They can also survive by eating bark. Inistas reach a base of a plant and then start climbing slowly, eating with its numerous bristles. They often move in swirling circles around the girth of plants. Once an Inistan reaches a tip, it attaches itself and produces spores. It then dies. Plants infected by Inistans usually have white or brown tips, caused by the accumulation of dead bodies.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All kingdoms, excluding the Desert Kingdom.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Inistas cannot hear, taste, smell, or see. However, the bristles on their bodies, which act as antennae, are amazingly good at recognizing the most minute changes in the environment. They use this to their advantage when hiding against the onslaught of the elements, which are usually fatal to them.

Scientific Name

Inishis Pestis

Origin/Ancestry

Inistas are thought to have been evolved from ancient mite-like creatures called Kilops. They evolved parasitism some ten thousand years ago.

Lifespan

3-5 days

Conservation Status

Inistas are considered an unwanted species, meaning they can be hunted to extinction. Inistas are inherently very fragile creatures, but the law has drastically reduced their numbers. Inistas’ plagues do still happen, though they are increasingly rare. The classification of Inistas as an unwanted species by the Elders is a cause of much-heated debate, with there being both supporters and opposition.

Average Height

0.5-0.7 millimeters

Average Weight

0.23-0.37 grams

Average Length

2-3 millimetres

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Inistas are white or brown in color. Their spores have a distinctly red appearance. They have no markings, though sometimes the tips of some bristles become black.