Overview

Glowbinders are small bioluminescent insects native to the jungles of Suriima. Glowing like motes of starlight in the dark rainforests, these creatures are known for forming symbiotic partnerships with the larger jungle beasts, offering illumination in exchange for sustenance, by way of feeding on skin parasites, dead tissue and other detritus.

Appearance

Glowbinders are roughly the size of a wasp, with delicate, semi-transparent wings and a tapered abdomen that emits a steady bioluminescent glow. The hue of their light can vary slightly, between cool whites, purples and blues. Their eyes are large, proportionally, adapted for dim light, and their antennae are long, able to sense subtle temperature and humidity variations.

Behaviour

They are gentle by nature, rarely showing aggression unless they are excessively disturbed - not that they have any implements that would cause serious damage regardless. Their preferred habitat is anywhere large beasts congregate, watering holes, for example, and attach themselves to large mammalian herbivores, primarily. Occasionally, they'll attach to big cats, but the cats have a tendency to swat them away in order to hunt. In exchange for light, the Glowbinders feed on skin mites, dead skin and other irritations, generally boosting the health of the animal too via their grooming.

When not attached, Glowbinders gather in clusters in the tree canopies, often following animal trails or lingering near fresh water waiting for suitable animals to appear. Until then, they hover like mini-constellations in the treetops.

Life Cycle

Glowbinders, like most insects, begin their lives as small larvae hatched into nest burrowed into the tree bark at the base. They are born blind and feast on the detritus that gathers. They mature quickly, though, reaching cocoon status in a week, before hatching after another week. Mating season is around autumn in the southern hemisphere - whilst the climate tends to remain warm and most plants are evergreen, not all are. Curiously, the life span of a Glowbinder is recorded as being around 18 months, ending in the spring when the days grow longer than the nights. When a Glowbinder dies, it has been observed that they detach from their hosts and attach to a tree instead, climbing as high as possible into the foliage before they die.

Cultural Significance

In a lot of Suriimese cultures, Glowbinders are said to be the children of Polilluma, scattered across the jungle to guide the lost and the weary. It is customary for twilight hunters and herbalists to carry glass charms to attract Glowbinders. Some say in moments of danger or uncertainty, a single Glowbinder arriving to guide the wary is a sign of Polilluma's blessing. The Glowbinder's death ritual of climbing as high as possible as seen as them returning to Polilluma's embrace.