The World Stones

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Tyrian Queen Morph

The largest butterfly of Andaril, known locally as the Sparrowhawk Morph for its size.

Description

The Tyrian Queen Morph is the largest species of butterfly in all of Andaril, with a massive wingspan of up to 40cm. It has striking metallic purple wings, making it a true sight to behold when it flutters through the forest.

Because they have mandibles instead of a proboscis (and sharp, clawed legs), the Tyrian Queen Morph can defend itself against predators quite effectively and has been known to bite humans who attempt to capture them.

Their common name, “Sparrowhawk Morph”, comes partly from their large size, being likened to the Sparrowhawk bird. Another reason they’re called sparrowhawks comes from the fact that the Tyrian Queen Morph and house sparrows are often seen fighting for the same territory.

While stunningly beautiful, some regard the Tyrian Queen Morph as harbingers of evil due to their purple coloration, a color humanity strongly ties to the demons of Etheria. Because of this, many seek to capture and kill the butterflies if they see them, which has pushed the species to the brink of extinction over the last four centuries.

If not for their purple color, green thumbs around the world also dislike the butterfly for destroying their beautiful garden flowers, another reason for their attempted eradication.

In the caterpillar stage, the Tyrian Queen Morph has toxic spines on its back that prick any hungry predators that try to eat it, causing an irritating, painful itch that can last for weeks.

Behaviour

Because the Tyrian Queen Morph has such powerful mandibles and sharp clawed legs, the butterfly isn’t as helpless as any other butterflies. Instead of fluttering away or being crushed helplessly, the Tyrian Queen Morph WILL bite back if it gets threatened.

While there are reports of people being bitten by them, it almost always happens when curious children go poke at them when they’re feasting on their flowers, or when someone tries to get rid of them improperly, such as crushing them with their bare hands.

Because they occupy the same forests as local sparrows, the two species frequently get into clashes of territory. Sparrows, being faster, often attempt to tackle the butterflies in mid-air, whereas the butterflies attempt to grab hold of the birds to inflict their defensive bites and drive them away.

Diet

Unlike other butterflies, the Tyrian Queen Morph has powerful mandibles in place of a proboscis that it uses to eat flowers whole. Its favourite flowers are the rhododendrons, but it will happily eat magnolias and wild roses too.