Lightningfly

The lightningfly is a small flying insect that glows with a yellow hue and is occasionally seen flashing up, like small lightning flashes, thus the name.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Lightningflies two wings,which gives them great maneuverability in flight. They have six legs with pads on their feet enabling them to cling to smooth surfaces.

Biological Traits

The lightningfly emits a yellow glow from the rear of its body. Females that are ready to mate flashes up like lightning when fertile.

Genetics and Reproduction

When a female lightningfly is ready to mate, it emits small flashes that resemble lightning to indicate to nearby males that it is ready to mate. After mating, the male leaves. The males are polygamous in nature and will mate with multiple females if given the chance.

I wish I could flash like the lightningflies.

— Thought from Milo Bench while laying in Hanthorn's arms.

Growth Rate & Stages

About a day after mating, the lightningflies lays its eggs in any food-source suitable for the larva, things like cadavers, feces, fruit, or other vegetation.
Neither the egg nor the larva glows as it does in its mature form, most likely to avoid detection from would-be predators. When the larva enters the pupa stage, it creates a tough but thin capsule around itself. A few hours before it is ready to emerge from the pupa, it starts to glow dimly.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

There has been speculation about using these as a temporarily light source, but usually, it's easier to create a makeshift torch than catching enough lightningflies to make a viable light source.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Lightningflies thrive in humid areas, and are mostly seen in swamps or marshes. Occasionally they're seen in forest areas as well.

Civilization and Culture

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Since the males only initiate mating after reacting to flashes from a female, it is highly unlikely that a lightning fly would mate with outer fly species.

Origin/Ancestry

Fly

Lifespan

1 month

Average Height

0.4 cm.

Average Weight

less than 1 gram

Average Length

1 cm with a wingspan at around 1.3 cm.