Korolo Butterflies
Basic Information
Anatomy
In its larva stage, they are are a Caterpillar, with a long body and numerous legs that can grip most surfaces.
Once it goes through a metamorphosis, the Korolo becomes a butterfly.
Genetics and Reproduction
Korolo Butterflies reproduce sexually. The females will shortly lay eggs before passing away. Males continue reproducing for several more days.
Growth Rate & Stages
The eggs of the Korolo Butterfly can stay unmatched for months at a time. As weather gets warmer, the eggs will take less time to hatch to a minimum of a week. Once they hatch from the egg as a Korolo Caterpillar they grow to roughly 2 inches in length. At this stage, they wrap themselves in a silk cocoon and stay that way for up to several days. After that time the Butterfly emerges in its final stage of life. From here the butterfly finds a mate to continue the cycle.
Ecology and Habitats
Korolo Butterflies inhabit the jungles exclusively. This has made cultivating them a challenge as they only develop in specific regions that are considered incredibly dangerous.
Dietary Needs and Habits
In the larva stage, the caterpillars feed on the leaves of the Baloa Tree. Farmers will cultivate these trees to mass-produce Baloa leaves and sap.
Additional Information
Domestication
Korolo Butterflies can be domesticated, but over time without a variety of Baloa Sap they will begin to have muddier colors and become less saturated. This has made domesticating them generally difficult for the highest quality of silk.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The main product of the Korolo Butterfly is the silk it produces in its caterpillar stage. Because the worm produces one long strand of silk it is possible to harvest this for use in textiles. It is popular to breed Korolo Butterflies for specific colors as their colors indicate the color of silk they produce. Because they can also be multiple colors, this means the silk produced can come in multicolored strands.
Clothing made with Korolo silk is used as a symbol is status among its consumers. Pure colors in silk are seen as a higher measure of wealth as getting only one color takes incredible patience with breeding since the mixing of colors is incredibly common. The High Chief of Lalinga has a wardrobe of clothing that come in all colors, with each garment a single color (with variations of different shades for detail work).
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Korolo Butterflies have exceptional scent. Some farmers will release Korolo Butterflies and follow them to deposits of what's been called Baloa Sap, as it comes from the Baloa Tree. This sap changes in color depending on a huge number of factors. Research is ongoing on how this sap develops but one thing is known: the color of the sap has a direct impact on the coloration of Korolo Butterflies.
Conservation Status
Farmers of the Korolo Catipillars take great care in preserving from going extinct as it plays a large part of the cultures of the people who farm it. These come in the form of hidden farms and special cages to keep out specific predators.
Average Length
2 inches
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
All Korolo Caterpillars have a black pattern that runs along their body. The other colors are based on both genetics and the Baloa Sap their parents ate. This color determines the silk they produce to make their cocoons. It is also an indicator for what their initial colors will be when they enter the butterfly stage. The wide variety of colors has led to several individuals collecting Korolo Butterflies for their beautiful patterns.
Geographic Distribution
I love that the silk they produce changes colour depending on their diet and other factors. Really interesting.