Qopinae

Born of the lush world of Nomia, covered in thick grasslands and mesas, the Qopinae are a biologically unique race.
One would be hard-pressed to try and fit them within an already existing classification, giving Naturalists everywhere stress dreams and aneurisms. On one hand, they have the earmarks of insectoid life. A remnant of an exoskeleton, mostly on the hands, upper back, and minorly around the eyes. An evolutionary descendant of compound eyes and a minor set of fuzzy antennae. Even leftover pheromonal glands that the race still makes some use of. On the other hand, they bear the earmarks of mammalian life. They have hair on their bodies. Feed milk to their young and have warm blood and a dozen other checks on both lists.
They live in large, hive-like cities made up of intricate winding paths, and adhere to a sort of caste system, analogous to the Chikiosa though the Qopinae are far more rigid in their adherence. Separated by subspecies, colloquially known as things like 'worker', 'warrior', and 'noble', their castes are more easily defined and thus harder to defy. That being said, the social pressure to maintain it has fallen away in recent decades and the biological pressure started unraveling centuries ago, allowing workers to fight and nobles to build, regardless of their physical differences. It should be said that the gender ratio of the species has become skewed, resulting in the species being 90% female and causing many of the species females to go out and attempt to find a mate.
Their industry also defies classification, with much of Qopinae planets and colonies dedicated to the growth and maintenance of large 'Ambrosia Cauldron' flowers. Harvesting their massive cauldrons for their nutrition-packed honey, consuming it themselves and using it in the production of highly nutritious rations that are sold in every part of the galaxy.
Of course, the N'Zakkel (The Water Caste or the Noble Caste) and the Khapaphtz (The Sun or the Royal Caste) are the most politically prominent of the castes, being most commonly rulers, politicians, and diplomats. The Euqet (also known as the Wind Caste or the Warrior Caste) are the second most prominent, who are most commonly the caste that outsiders deal with as they are the largest in number. By a small margin, admittedly, but a margin none-the-less. The Volek and the Qez, Builder/Stone and Worker/Soil respectively, are the second most common, and what traditionally makes up most of the civilian population, with the Zut'ankal and Kuzkat (Agents/Moon and Mage/Aether) make up only a fraction of the races numbers.

In recent years, the Qopinae have been spreading more rapidly. New colonies are being founded in quick succession, and the fields of flowers planted as soon as possible. They have yet to encroach on any other species sovereign space, but it is making their direct neighbors a little antsy. No official statements have been made by any of the involved parties, and even Aethernet news outlets can only report on a scant few details, and there is little supposition to be had.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Humanoid, they are far closer in appearance with humans than other species that can be described as such. Even coming down to a surprisingly similar skeletal structure. Same in shape, but differ in how many individual bones there are and where certain bones fuse or not. Look at a human and a Qopinae from behind, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two at a glance.
The most surefire way to distinguish between species is to look for the 'scarf' around the throat. A band of black or blonde 'fur' that grows around the throat. This only works for females, but given the gender ratio that should be a non-issue.
Quite soft on all accounts.

Genetics and Reproduction

It is theorized that their genetic ancestors once layed eggs, with anthropological evidence suggesting as such, but no longer. The species gives birth to live young, bottle-necking the species population growth, but stabilizing it for the long run.
Even so, particular Qopinae mothers are known to give birth to six children at a time. They gestate for about 5 months, and are incredibly vulnerable for a time after they are born. Unable to really move at all, even any semblance of crawling.
Newborns are smaller than human newborns, by about 25%, making the higher birth rate easier on the mother.

Growth Rate & Stages

They grow out of their infant form slower than one might think, taking two to three years to fully clear it. After three years they are able to move about through their own locomotion, though they will still take about seventeen more years to reach physical maturity, for a total of 20 years on average.
Adulthood is considered achieved when the patches of exoskeleton reach their full hardness. Not enough to truly prevent much damage other than minor cuts and scrapes, but noticeably firmer than the rest of the body.

Ecology and Habitats

Most comfortable in mild temperatures, they do exceedingly poorly in extreme temperatures. Extreme heat can kill them, while extreme cold can put them into a coma-like state.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Due to their species industrialization, the Qopinae rely heavily on processed foods for their diet. Most notably the honey of the Ambrosia Cauldron flower, which they farm on every planet under their control, going to great lengths to cultivate and protect the flowers.

Biological Cycle

When the Qopinae reaches the end of their life cycle, the females enter what is known as the 'Matron' stage. Characterized by a hormonal change that encourages the individual to settle down and start their own families. Another leftover of their ancestry. It doesn't happen at the same time for every individual or even happen to all females. Some simply do not enter this stage.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The Qopinae hierarchy is instinctual. Each caste produces a pheromone scent that others of their species can easily pick up on. They might not know exactly why they feel an instinctual subservience or what specific cast someone was born into, but they can certainly feel it. 
That being said, it is by no means absolute. The compulsion can be ignored by an individual with a bit of concentration. Simply being aware of it is a big step in the process, and all Qopinae know of it these days.

Facial characteristics

While they look human overall, the face is an easy way to tell between the two species. Their eyes are large and doe-like, though noticeably larger on the males, and have no visible distinction between iris and sclera, seeming to be colored all the way throughout. The eyes themselves are black and are speckled with spots of brown and gold.
Around the outer edge of the eyes are small plates of chitin, usually forming in hexagonal or other geometric shapes. Not strong enough to provide any protection, but clearly there.
On the crown of the head the have a small pair of antennae that lean towards the back of the skull, so small they can easily get lost in a Qopinae's hair, that are covered in a fine fur similar to what is around their throats.

Average Intelligence

100 IQ

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Relying on sight more than hearing, and a sense of smell better than the human average, they rely more on being together to sense danger, than their own individual senses

Civilization and Culture

Courtship Ideals

To show interest in a prospective partner, the Qopinae will initiate close contact. Standing as close as they can to the interesting party as they can. If they can get into physical contact, they will. Things like hugs or even a simple poke if that's all that can be managed.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Traditionally considered a cordial species, they have relatively warm relations with most species on the political stage, only making enemies where they have to. Their closest bond is with Humans, who they consider to have similar values despite their societal differences. The bond was initially born of a mutual dislike of the Nasaria, with both races having joined forces with each other the last time the Nasaria attempted to exert control through force. Humanity and the Qopinae are brothers and sisters, bonded in fire, and in it together for as long as the haul will carry them and farther if the other will have them.

Quinopae eyes look like the average single aperture eye but are, in fact, compound. Making up for the usual lack of resolution provided by compound eyes by having thousands of visual receptors all pointed in the same direction. Imperceptive small, one would be hard pressed to distinguish between each individual receptor. While an incredible example of adaptation, it is not a perfect solution. While they can see normally, their eyesight is bellow average by a small margin, and will often use corrective lenses or arcane enhancements to boost their sight.

Scientific Name

Apis Imperialis

Origin/Ancestry

Volek (Builder/Stone), Euqet (Warrior/Wind), Qez (Worker/Soil), Zut'ankal (Mage/Aether), N'zakkel (Noble/Water), Kuzkat (Agent/Moon), Khapaphtz(Royal/Sun)

Lifespan

65 years

Average Height

5' 8"

Average Weight

130 pounds

Average Physique

slight and lithe, they are not a thick-set species. They rely on speed and their numbers for their survival.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their skin tones fall under 'sun touched' colors. Tans and caramels, with their hair being either blonde or black. 
The chitin on their face often takes an amber or deep caramel tone to it.

Quinopae eyes look like the average single aperture eye but are, in fact, compound. Making up for the usual lack of resolution provided by compound eyes by having thousands of visual receptors all pointed in the same direction. Imperceptive small, one would be hard pressed to distinguish between each individual receptor. While an incredible example of adaptation, it is not a perfect solution. While they can see normally, their eyesight is bellow average by a small margin, and will often use corrective lenses or arcane enhancements to boost their sight.