Zeros Fauna - Scastal's Arthropods

Scastal is an equatorial archipelago near the continent of Sanipse. Originating from intense volcanic activity, the island is known for its jungles, its drier landscapes, and its immense mangroves that insinuate themselves deep inland.
The endemic fauna combines the familiar with the strange, a unique and fascinating character to observe or study.
« « « WARNING: The animals illustrated here are not to scale! » » »
Here are some observable endemic arthropod species:
1) Hearthead ants (locally: FOUMI KÈRDITÈT) [1-2 cm]: A species residing in the jungles northeast of Scastal. They dig large underground nests topped with a pile of shredded dead leaves.
2) Blood wasp (GÈP SANGYN) [7-8 cm]: This large, social wasp prefers wooded areas. Despite its name and its very painful sting, this species is less aggressive and feeds only on fruit.
3) Blue-eyed bee (ABÈYE A ZYÈ BLEW) [1-1.2 cm]: A solitary species that builds its nest in the ground. It waterproofs its nests with an abdominal secretion to protect it from tropical rains.
4) Zebra bee (ABÈYE ZÈBÉE) [1.3-1.5 cm]: Females build their nests in sandy areas and steal pollen and nectar balls from other solitary bee species to feed their larvae.
5) Kadybug (KASINÈL) [8-10 mm]: A tropical species that is omnivorous and opportunistic. The larvae eat springtails, while the adults prefer to feed on fruit and pollen.
6) Stanlegr's weevil (CHARANSON DI STANLEGR) [12 mm]: Larvae and adults feed on Cofier seeds (Cofia). Their front legs serve to impress their opponents during territorial struggles.
7) Jewel stagbeetle (LUKANI BIJOU) [11 cm♂ - 5.2 cm♀]: Its metallic and iridescent colors have earned it the nickname "jewel." Males use their immense mandibles for fighting.
8) Helio butterfly (PAPIYON HELIOZ) [6-8 cm]: The caterpillars feed of the Lianedera leaves, while the adults feed on its nectar. This close cycle would lead to their extinction if one were to disappear.
9) Microbutterfly (MIKWOPAPIYON) [3-5 mm]: One of the smallest butterflies in the world. It feeds mainly on sea salt and the nectar of coastal plants.
10) Longforked butterfly (PAPIYON LONG-KEW) [4-5 cm]: This butterfly undulates its long tails while feeding. There are 5 subspecies of this butterfly, only one of which is found in Scastal.
11) Magnetic roach (BLAT MAYÉTIK) [8 cm♂- 10 cm♀]: This large cockroach has been studied for its electrosensory abilities and its ability to create defensive micro-electric discharges.
12) Scastal’s bamboobug (FAZM-BANBOU DI SCASTAL) [30-60 cm]: This wingless stick insect is known for perfectly camouflaging itself in the tropical bamboo thickets on which it feeds.
13) Lancer fulgore (FULGOR LANSÈ) [8 cm]: An insect similar to cicadas that has an imposing but hollow rostrum on its head. It was once believed that it used it to impale its enemies.
14) Iridescent odrogan (ODROGAN IRIDÉSAN) [7.2-7.6 cm]: A magnificent dragonfly with iridescent wings that hunts near forest streams. It is said that seeing one in sunlight brings good luck.
15) Cupper moth (MIT KWIVÉE) [2.4-3 cm]: This moth is found in the canopy of southern mangroves. Both adults and caterpillars have the metallic colors of various copper oxides.
16) Forceps moth (PAPIYON FORSÈP) [7-11 cm]: This unique moth is found in the shrubby. Its hairy caterpillars change color depending on the plants they inhabit.
17) Purple rock scolopede (SCOLIPÈD WOCH VIOLÈT) [20-25 cm]: This giant, purplish-colored centipede finds refuge under stones and tree trunks. Its sting is painful but not fatal.
18) Red claws carcicrayfish (ÉKRABICH GWO GRIF) [15-17 cm]: An amphibious crustacean related to crayfish. Nocturnal, it feeds on detritus, rotting wood and occasionally small invertebrates.
19) Trident woodlice (CLOPORT TRIDAN) [2-3 mm]: This species lives in the steppes where it survives drought by hiding underground. It often coexists with other species of woodlice.
20) Musketeer cricket (GRIKÈT MOUSKETÈR) [30-40 cm]: One of the largest cricket in the world. It is unable to hide like other crickets, so it has developed defensive gigantism.
21) Red Urchincrab (KRAB-UWSIN WOUJ) [4-5 cm]: Not related to true sea urchin crabs, this species has the same defense system. Its color varies depending on its health.
22) Small iron scorpion (SKOPYON MESADO) [1-1.2 m]: Smaller cousin of the Giant Scorpion "Hado". It prefers steppes and hunts for prey that remains near a large burrow it has created as it grows.
23) Bigpaws Mygal (MYGAL GWO-PYÉ) [12-14 cm]: A large terrestrial mygalomorph spider recognizable by its bushier front legs. It uses old abandoned burrows to make its own.
24) Steppe Daphryon (DAFRYON DI STÈP) [3-4 cm]: Inhabits semi-open environments such as wooded steppes. Fearing light, it is a very swift nocturnal hunter, feeding mainly on insects.
25) Jungle Daphryon (DAFRYON DI JING) [4-5 cm]: Larger than the steppe species, it prefers more humid forests. Very discreet, it hunts all kinds of prey that it can catch.