Burrowbugs

Content Warning: Swarming Insects

Burrowbugs are insects that extract nutrients from stone and metal by secreting an acidic oil from their pincers that break down rock and ores for ingestion. As a swarming creature, if you see one, there are likely hundreds.

Nature of the Swarm

True to their name, burrowbugs are an insect that lives underground in tunnels of their own making. They produce an acid-like substance that, when delivered through large pincers, is able to break down stone, rock, and metal. They use this ability to ingest the earth for nutrients as well as to dig massive tunnel networks beneath the surface of Nisora. As a hivemind, every bug knows the full layout of tunnels others have created. If any bug is in danger, the others know and can rush to its aid.

They're mostly only seen by those working underground, such as in mines. Others will only encounter them in the unlikely event of an infestation.

Did you know?

The acid burrowbugs produce can induce hallucinations if it makes direct contact with a mammal's skin, as with a bite.

Life Stages

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Burrowbugs go through multiple stages and forms throughout their lives. As adults, they can be either drones, goliaths, or occasionally, become a broodmother. Most burrowbugs live a few months at most, but a broodmother can live and support her swarm for several years. The older and healthier the swarm, the larger the broodmother and the bugs she produces.

Adolescence

Egg

Duration

9-12 days

Size

1-12 inches

Eggs are laid in satchels, coated with a sticky secretion. Drones carry them to safe locations and end up stuck in the secretion, they're later the first meal for the larvae that hatch.

Larva

Duration

5-7 days

Size

1-12 inches

The worm-like larvae feast on the remains of their eggs, the secretion, and bodies of the dead drones within. They hatch with acid-producing pincers, but while still harmful to objects, they're not a threat to humans.

Nymph

Duration

14-28 days

Size

2-18 inches

The bugs develop wings at their nymph state and begin searching for more food to continue their growth. Their pincers are strong enough to pierce human skin, and they can travel far from their original nest.

Adulthood

Drone

Duration

remaining lifetime (1-6 months)

Size

3-28 inches

Most nymphs become drones. They dig, scout, carry eggs, and bring food for the broodmother. They can hurt humans, but won't unless directly threatened. Unlike nymphs, they're encased in a beetle-like shell.

Goliath

Duration

remaining lifetime (1-6 months)

Size

4-30 inches

A small portion of nymphs become hardy goliaths. They protect the broodmother and fight off invaders. Their massive pincers can hurt a human and their pets, and the goliaths will attack any perceived threat.

Broodmother

Duration

remaining lifetime (1-? years)

Size

12-50 inches

The broodmother is the queen of the swarm and is massive in comparison. A swarm's single broodmother is a stationary figure at the heart of their nest, protected by a heavy exoskeleton. If threatened, she can emit a vibration to summon the swarm.

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Information

Geographic Distribution

• Galendra
• Nisora

Treating Bites

Small bites may itch and rash for up to a week. Bites from large bugs found underground sting, burn, and can draw blood. Too many bites from them can and will kill you.
Even a small bite will induce hallucinations, often within minutes. They last up to an hour. The larger the bite, the more vivid the hallucinations.
If you or someone near you has been bitten:

• Restrain the victim to keep them and others safe.
• Vacate the area to avoid further bites.
• Disinfect and bandage bleeding wounds.
• Use anti-itch cream on healing bites.

Infestations

Young swarms sometimes breach the surface and cause infestations. Though these 1-2" bugs are less threatening than the ancient swarms from the depths, they still cause millions in damage to pipes, machines, infrastructure, and people as their bites cause wild hallucinations.

Signs of Infestation

Keep an eye out for the below to know if your home has been infested:

• Strange marks in a trail along metal or stone surfaces.
• Erosion-like damage to pipes.
• Egg satchels found in corners, especially in basements.
• Odd behavior or itching in household pets.

Extermination

Once you've confirmed the presence of burrowbugs, these are the steps to get rid of them:

1. Find all locations they're coming in from. These are usually in basements.
2. Pump poison into every entrance and seal them as best you can.
3. Fumigate the building, including every crawlspace, cabinet, pipe, and vent.
4. Repeat fumigation after two weeks to catch any newly-hatched larvae.

Hire or DIY?

The equipment and gas to fumigate costs 300-400 credits for the average home, and up to 2,000 credits for a large factory. If going the DIY route:

• Verify your supplier and what they're supplying. Don't get scammed!
• Wear equipment to protect from bites and fumes.
• Be prepared for multiple long days of searching and gassing.

Hiring an exterminator costs an extra 10-20%. Verify their timeline! Fumigations should be no more than 2 weeks apart. Your exterminator may catch a few bugs to place elsewhere for future work, but as long as your house is bug-free, does it matter?