Acorn Beetle

Branching antennae, resembling the knotty twigs of oak trees, grace these magnificent creatures' acorn-helmet heads. Their faces can be lit somewhat eerily by their relatively large luminescent eyes, which will sometimes throw their mandibles and sap siphons into stark relief, making them seem far more fearsome than the peaceful creatures actually are. The modified elytra of these beetles resembles nothing so much as a pair of acorn shells, replete with grooves and earthy pigmentation. Special channels in the elytra store sunlight, for later use in generating bioluminescent signaling. Their seemingly leaf-woven hind wings shimmer with the texture of gossamer flower petals. The amazing creatures store tiny nuts in one part of a specialized abdomen, and have a sap reservoir further back, with feet that appear to be bark tipping spring loaded legs.

Most striking of the Acorn Beetle's biological traits is the intricate system of bioluminescence displayed by these incredible beetles.

When ready to mate, both males and females release a sweet, oak-scented pheromone trail that helps draw potential mates to a shared meeting point where, with bioluminescent displays and subsonic serenades, the male attempts to impress the female. Each bioluminescent diplay is unique; every vibrational pattern is completely distinctive during these performances. If successful, the abdominal plates of the two beetles lock together, with the male passing a nutrient rich sap-sack along with sperm. This sap sack is chock full of energy for the female to use while producing and protecting the eggs.

The female will seek out the hollow of an old tree, or some soft moss near a tangle of oak roots, wherein to lay her eggs. These locations are carefully chosen for proximity to food, moisture, and warmth, not to mention security from predators. The female will then lay her eggs in tiny, acorn-shaped pods made from soil, tree sap, and an excretion from the beetle's abdomen. These fit right in to their environment, nearly perfectly camoflauged from predators, and will incubate for from one to two weeks.

Once hatched, the grubs feed on the sap-filled lining of their acorn pods until they break free of them, continuing to feed on nearby decaying plant matter. During this time, the larvae's segmented body have patterns resembling tiny twigs all over them, offering some protection from birds and other predators. They will feed like crazy for two to five weeks, before finding a nice piece of moss, or shaded patch of ground, to burrow into and transform.

Newly emerged adults will remain hidden for a day or so, allowing their elytra to harden, and their latent bioluminescent abilities to activate, before resuming their constant hunt for food and mates.

The Acorn Beetle is found in oak-dominated forests, such as the old-growth forests covering Pax, where its acorn shaped body offers excellent camoflauge. It prefers to live amongst the oak canopies, munching leaves and sipping on sap; or nesting in the moss amongst an old oak's roots. Enchanted glades and mystical trees are irresistable draws for Acorn Beetles, which can grow to the size of a jumbo acorn in such environments. The beetle thrives in the deep crevasses of bark and burrows near the trees' roots, protecting themselves from predators. Smaller ones will even hollow out acorns.

They act as seed dispersers, and cross pollinators, and the enchanted egg pods that they leave around offer ample and optimum nutrition for the trees and other plant life living in their forests.

The four distinct phases of an Acorn Beetle's life are seemingly the same as most other insects, but when taking into consideration the numerous benefits that they have on an oak forest, as a whole, their role as ecological forest guardians really shines in stark display. The beetle's bioluminescent display changes with the seasons, its gentle glow acting as a guide for lost animals everywhere. Then, after overwintering in a deep bark crevasse, or some root-bound burrow, the cycle renews itself yet again.

The uses of these beetle are myriad, from encouraging them to tend to the health of the forests to using their chitin as the main ingredient for lacquer, they are utterly entwined into Paxian society, culture, and taste.

Acorn Beetles are often added to stews and Lobscouse, adding a pleasantly piquant "crunch" as one chews.

Featuring glowing eyes, segmented, twig-like antennae, and leaf mandibles, up-close the Acorn Beetle looks fearsome indeed! However, they are entirely peaceful and unaggressive. Some folks have conflated their sap-siphons with stingers, but this is simply untrue.

All of Pax, and northern Taisha.

These leaf beetles have a remarkable sense and ability to avoid danger, although they have no real "intelligence", per se.

The acorn beetle boasts hexachromatic eyes, allowing it to be able to perceive an astonishing array of wavelengths, including ultraviolet and infrared ranges. They are also sensitive to, and able to translate, bioluminescent signals from other creatures, and from rival beetles. They have subsonic and ultrasonic hearing, often communicating with each other using sounds too low in frequency for humanoids to hear. Their chemoreception, or sense of smell, is absolutely acute; able to sense nectar or sap many meters away from themselves. They are able to sense predator pheromones and take evasive actions.

They have, additionally, a chemical trail memory, essentially mapping out the forest as they travel around, able to remember specific nesting sites and spawning grounds.

When an acorn beetle releases seeds, they often carry a faint glow, or spark of enchantment, helping the resultant saplings to grow strong and hale. Some even become enchanted glades.