Furmite

A furmite is a relatively large parasitic wasp-like creature that may attack most all fur-bearing animals of Derkomai and even humans in some cases. The adult furmite is a six-legged, winged insectoid, about 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) in length, somewhat resembling a yellowjacket wasp, except that they are rounder and are colored black with red patches and stripes. When a furmite alights on an animal, it grabs onto the animal's fur, then "stings" the animal, injecting dozens of eggs under the skin. After a few days, the eggs hatch, and the furmite larvae proceed to devour the flesh of the animal, while releasing toxins into the animal's bloodstream, causing paralysis and ultimately, death. While killing and devouring the animal, the larvae burrow into the carcass of the animal, where they lay dormant, maturing into adult furmites. The maturation process of the furmite larvae to adulthood takes approximately two weeks. If an animal approaches a carcass infested with dormant adult furmites, the furmites awaken, disturbed by ground and air vibrations,. The adult furmites then burst forth from the carcass and attack the approaching animal. Entire herds of dozens of animals have been wiped out by an attack of a swarm of furmites from a single infested carcass.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Furmites have three forms: 1) Eggs, which are yellowish white, round, about 1/20 inch (0.125 cm) in diameter 2) Larvae, which are eight-legged, flattened disk-shaped, resembling a tick or mite, initially about 1/10 inch (0.25 cm) in diameter, growing to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) as they mature. When they mature, the larvae lose two legs, replacing them with wings. The larvae have prominent mandibles with which they devour the flesh of the host animal, and they secrete potent toxins that quickly kill the host animal. 3) Adults, which have six-legs, wings, and are about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in length. They are black with prominent red patches and stripes, and a large stinger used to inject eggs under the skin of an unfortunate host animal.

Ecology and Habitats

Furmites are found throughout temperate and tropical areas of Derkomai, but are most common in warm, semi-arid regions, such as the southern reaches of The Steppe. The possibility of a furmite attack makes most animals of Derkomai, such as the Savannah Wolf, wary of approaching carcasses. Only some specialized carrion eaters that are resistant to furmite attacks will approach a dead animal.

Biological Cycle

Furmites hatch from eggs injected into a host animal, becoming larvae. The larvae release toxins that kill the host animal as they feed on the host animal's flesh, then mature within the dead host animal's carcass, becoming dormant adults. Upon sensing vibrations (sound) from animals approaching the host carcass, the dormant adult furmites become active adults, bursting forth from the host carcass to attack. The active adult furmites can fly only a short distance before finding a host, or they fall to the ground and die. As a result, most animals of Derkomai avoid carcasses lying on the ground, staying far away from any dead animal. After injecting its eggs into a host animal, the adult furmite itself dies.
The toxins released by furmite larvae act as a kind of preservative, preventing other insects and even bacteria from infesting the host carcass, preventing significant decay from taking place for some time. The odor of the toxins within the carcass acts as an attractant, drawing some animals to it. More intelligent animals with a superior sense of smell, such as the Savannah Wolf, have learned to avoid infested carcasses. After approximately one month, the preservative effects of the toxins fades, the carcass begins to decay, and the dormat adult furmites die after about six weeks if no host animal approaches the carcass.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dormant adult furmites are able to sense vibrations in the ground and air (sound) nearby to their host carcass. Those vibrations cause the dormant adults to become active, burst forth from the carcass, and attack nearby warm-blooded animals. The active adults are able to sense heat and motion from warm-blooded animals and are attracted to it.

Furmite by Peter Nelson (Zero Sum Games)

Lifespan

~20 days

Average Length

0.5 inch (1.24 cm)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Insectoid, black with red stripes