Silk wasp

Silk wasps are a species of insect native to Yuraal's Kuwor Desert. They are notable for their silk cocoons. These cocoons are used to make silk fabric, just like those of the Terran silkworm.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Adult silk wasps are flying, six-legged insects. Their bodies are solid white, with translucent wings attached. Wing size differs between wild and domestic species; wild wasps have large wings, but domestic wasps' wings are so small they can't fly.
Wild wasps have a large stinger that delivers a venomous sting. Stings cause nausea and vomiting; multiple stings also cause weakness and can be incapacitating. Fatalities are rare but can happen if a nest is disturbed.
The larvae are small, dark brown, and wingless.

Growth Rate & Stages

Silk wasps hatch as larvae, which are small and harmless. These larvae transform into adults inside silk cocoons. In the wild, they build their cocoons inside their nest (which can house dozens of wasps).

Additional Information

Domestication

Thanks to millennia of selective breeding, domestic silk wasps differ significantly from their wild counterparts. Domestic wasps are docile, flightless, and larger and quicker to mature. Previously, they were also bred to lack venom, rendering their stings harmless, but genetic engineering has since removed their stingers entirely.
On the other hand, wild silk wasps are smaller, but they are fast fliers, can sting, and are highly aggressive.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Silk wasps are bred for their silk, which is made into silk fabric. Most silk fabric is made from the silk of domestic wasps, but wild silk exists as well. Wild silk is more valuable, as it is dangerous to gather.

Average Length

Adult, domestic: 2–2.5 inches (5–6.4 cm)
Adult, wild: 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
Larva, domestic: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Larva, wild: 0.6 inch (1.5 cm)

Geographic Distribution

• Kuwor Desert