Aurora Stonefly

Aurora stoneflies are a species of fly that can be found in unsculpted lands. They get their name from being drawn to aurora stone, particularly that which is being passively charged by nearby forming Rifts, aka shimmers. As aurora stone is the main power source of all of Citadel's technology, looking for stoneflies is a useful way or finding the aurora stone in its natural state. Stoneflies are also important in tracking down and sealing shimmers before they open up fully.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Aurora stoneflies have a dark grey oval-shaped body with a metallic sheen. They have large black eyes similar to that of a housefly and six thin black legs.  They also have clear wings that glow magenta in the dark.

Genetics and Reproduction

The stonefly lays its eggs near a shimmer in a nest sculpted from the land into a feathery cuccoon. The eggs absorb warmth from the ground and energy directly from the shimmer. After about six months, the baby stoneflies burrow out of their eggs and the cuccoon before flying off in search of more aurora stone.

Growth Rate & Stages

Baby stoneflies are tiny, about the size of a sesame seed, and have a black body and yellow wings. They often travel in swarms, merging with and breaking off from others as they travel. They will often break down whayever aurura stone they find into dust and spread it over an area in order to form a dust field, which they then settle over. They then sculpt the land around and over it. Not only does this cause more aurora stone to grow into the ground, but the charge created from the baby stoneflies rubbing the dust between their feet is also absorbed into their bodies, giving them energy.
Adolescent stoneflies are half the size of their adult counterparts. They are known for their habit of emitting a loud beeping noise when bothered. It is during their late adoloscence that their bodies begin to shed, revealing theri trademark metallic grey underneath.
Once they are large enough and have shed the last of their black exterior, their wings begin to glow magenta and they are considered adults.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

It is said the magenta glow from their wings helps them find aurora stone and communicate with each other by turning the glow on and off.