Creature:Dragon-wasp

Introduction
Welcome to the Imperial Codex! The following entry will provide detail on; dragon-wasps, the alpha predator of Nerophion's jungles.

Biology and Appearance
Dragon-wasps are large insect creatures that bear a resemblence to dragons of ancient myths. They are tall, with craning necks and very powerful jaws lined with teeth. Their bodies are plated with chitin exoskleteons which provide an excellent source of armor. They have six legs that end in hook-like claws.

Dragon-wasps travel primarily via flight, thanks to two pairs of wings. The primary wings are large and are responsible for lifting the creature off the ground and basic flight. The secondary pair are smaller, but are responsible for fine-tuned movement, such as turning, hovering and twisting in mid-air. The creatures rely on these wings heavily; if one wing is damaged, their ability of flight is nearly crippled. A dragon-wasp incapable of flight, due to defect or injury, does not live long.

Dragon-wasps have excellent sources of protection and natural weaponry. Their jaws are very powerful and lined with dozens of sharp teeth. These jaws are capable of snapping through bone and even branches or trunks of trees. On their tail, there is a bulbous stinger which secretes poison. The sting is several inches long and can pierce hides easily. The poison is fatal, causing excruciating pain and hallucinations and can kill prey within minutes.

They reproduce sexually; males and females gather to mate during the warm season on Nerophion, which result in the females laying hundred of eggs.

Dragon-wasps come in a variety of color but are typically varying shades of red.

Behavior and Intelligence
Dragon-wasps are aggressive predatory hunters. They will chase prey relentlessly until the prey either tires out, has no where left to run, or succumbs to either inflicted wounds or poison. Dragon-wasps abandon chases that lead into the ocean, as they are incapable of swimming. While they are primarily hunters, dragon-wasps can also ambush prey, laying in wait or chasing prey into areas where they would be trapped. While they are clever, they are not sapient and have the basic intelligence of most animals.

Dragon-wasps have been observed to live in small groups, lead by a female, called a "queen". These groups, called "nests", can range from five to seven individual dragon-wasps, on average, but larger and smaller gatherings have been observed. Couples mate for life, mating only once a year, and are territorial and defensive of their young. The same behavioral traits apply to the queen of the nests, which they defend viciously.

Trivia

 * Dragon-wasps are a bit of a pun; a play on the word "dragonfly".