Lepidopyre: Version 2
{Lep-I-Dop-Py-Er} {plural: Lepidopyres} (Feliciano, Lovino, Gioryio, Franco)
They hatch from eggs and go though the stages of metamorphoses. They have a lifespan of 40-50 Tera (Earth) years. The first 11 years of their lives are spent as children/Larvae. These larvae are similar to adults but they are chubbier and they don’t have wings yet. From 12 years old to 15 or 16 (depends on the Lepidopyre) they are considered teenagers. During these teen years they build cocoons which they spend 6 months in while their wings develop. When the turn They 16 they are young adults until age 25 when they are just considered adults. Adulthood ends at age 35 when they become elders.
For an unknown reason there are very low female to male ratio. Because of this males have adapted and have both male and female reproductive systems. They have developed temporary blindness due to predators using bright lights to lure them into dangerous situations (this can be triggered by unnaturally bright or flicking lights). If temporary blindness does occur they can use their antennas to help them navigate while the attempt to escape.
When a female is born their lives are celebrated and they are showered with gifts and affection.
They are consider Moth like Humanoids with bodies similar to humans but in they also have wings and short fur. They only live on their home planet of Moritera. Their wings are actually extra skin with nerves and muscles that heals at a regular speed. If the base of the wing is cut of it can not grow back similar to a cut off arm or leg. They only have 3 fingers and a thumb. Though they are not colorblind most Lepidopyres have bad eyesight and colors are slightly less saturated for them. Light (including fire) puts them into a trance like state. Most wing colors are a range of greens, browns, and yellows. They are a nocturnal species. They have small fangs and mostly eat plants but they can eat meat. If their wings get wet they stick together preventing flight. Unlike humans they don’t have blood and instead have hemolymph. This hemolymph is yellow in Lepidopyres.
They make their homes in large trees found on their planet. These houses almost always have two or more floors. It is common for Lepidopyres to live together. Larvae are commonly kept as pets and are about the size of a cat.
They are a democracy and have no organized military. They did have a military lead by Julius Vargas during an invasion. After he died of natural causes the Lepidopyres had to rely on the Cephoktopods for protection. They borrow the Cephoktopod’s ships when necessary but most don’t leave Moritera.
Lepidopyre don’t wear much due to warm weather. Traditional clothing colors are mainly brown, tan, orange, and green is considered camouflage. They make their clothes out of silk gathered from their pet larvae. The silk can be gathered from broken cocoons or collected from larvae as the can spin silk like spiders when they are both happy and healthy.