Golden Dragonfly
Golden dragonflies are a unique species of giant dragonfly which make use of their unusual appearance to secure safety for their young. After mating, a golden dragonfly mother will find a nearby Dragon's lair and lay her eggs in its hoard. Upon hatching, the newly-born dragonfly nymphs bury themselves within the hoard, camouflaging among the dragon's treasures until they are ready to metamorphose into their adult dragonfly forms.
This arrangement is beneficial to both the nymphs and to the dragon. Due to residing in a dragon's lair, the nymphs are protected from most dangerous predators and can safely reach maturity. Meanwhile, being effective ambush predators themselves, they provide security to the dragon by catching any small creatures that sneak into the lair attempting to steal from the hoard. The dragonflies themselves have no interest in treasure, and therefore most dragons are more than happy to allow them to stay.
Despite their name, golden dragonflies do not always appear gold. While their stereotypical coloration includes a golden body and eyes that look like gemstones, golden dragonflies in different regions can take on varying appearances to fit in better with a dragon's hoard. Some resemble bone, like a hunting trophy, or are incredibly reflective, like the mirrors in a mirage dragon's hoard. Golden dragonflies living near adamantine dragons may look like dark-colored rocks and little more.
Basic Information
Ecology and Habitats
Unlike ordinary dragonflies, golden dragonflies do not rely on water for their growth cycle, so they are much less restricted in terms of the environments they can inhabit. They have been known to live anywhere from dense forests to sparse deserts, but no matter the environment they remain an uncommon sight.
Additional Information
Domestication
Some dragons have taken efforts to domesticate golden dragonflies by intentionally bringing them food, even when they are adults, in order to encourage them to remain in their lairs and lay their own eggs there as well. By establishing themselves as a reliable food source, they essentially gain low-cost, nearly-incorruptible guards for their hoards.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Even when a golden dragonfly looks like the kind of treasure that humanoids would value, it is merely camouflage. Still, some have taken to keeping and preserving the eyes and exoskeletons of these creatures for use as exotic substitutes for such materials.
Uncommon
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