Eclipticum Moth
The fourth planet of the Kor-Azor system, known as Eclipticum, possesses an unusual ecology in that the planet’s year takes approximately ten Universal Standard years to complete and native species have evolved cycles dependant on seasons rather than annual patterns.
One such species is the Eclipticum Moth with a wingspan of ca. 30cm and seen only during the spring season. Its wings are velvety and black, with intricate diamond shapes, usually white, on the female, which is also the larger of the species. Mainly nocturnal but will often be active at dusk or dawn.
Its most remarkable feature is a large, luminous egg sac made of a strong, fibrous material that forms a part of the underbelly of the female. When the eggs are ready to be laid towards the end of the season, the moth will perform a ‘dance’ in flight, circling for many hours above a suitable location to deposit its eggs. During this time the egg sac secretes a sticky phosphorescent fluid. The moths may be seen as bright lights in the dark sky as they perform this ritual beginning usually at dusk before descending upon a chosen location, often the branch of a tree although in cities egg sacs have been observed everywhere from street lights to communications antennae as long as a supply of food is nearby for the future larvae. While signalling the maturity of the eggs the luminescent fluid also acts as a strong glue and aids the moth in securely attaching the egg sac to its chosen location, for the eggs will lie dormant for many years until the next spring season. Once attached the moth, exhausted, will tear itself from the egg sac, inflicting a mortal wound from which the creature dies shortly thereafter.
As the sac hardens the luminescent glue fades considerably. Studies of the egg sac show that it retains some of its luminosity long after hatching of larvae and is extremely ductile on account of its fibrous properties, lending it suitable for use in the production of fabrics. The phosphorescent chemical bound to the fibrous material of the sac have provided sample textile fibres with a fine luminescence and sheen beyond that of the most luxurious silks available. Owing to the moth’s very long life cycle due to the Eclipticum year, the limited availability of egg sacs makes production of textiles, even in minimal quantities, physically and economically unviable.
Considered a pest, the caterpillar larvae will feed upon fruit crops and if not controlled may decimate an entire season’s harvest.
