Cobalt Lillyworm

The Cobalt Lillyworm split from its ancestor in the Slarti Salt Bog. Competition for sunlight both on the ground and treetops drove the evolution of the Cobalt Lillyworm. Its wing-leaves have fused into two very large, very thin appendages which allow the organism to float in still waters. This gives the organism a superficial resemblance to the long extinct Lillypalm.

In the water there is far less competition for sunlight and the Cobalt Lillyworm’s wing-leaves have grown a dark blue-black color that is able to take in more energy from the sun. This is similar to the process by which organisms of the Melanophyta kingdom gained their coloration. Much like these plants the dark coloration of the Cobalt Lillyworm creates a danger of excess heat. The Lillyworm is therefor restricted to life on the water during the day, where it can stay cool. With no predators the Lillyworm needs only to keep its head and tracheae above the water and occasionally use its stubby legs to paddle it back near the shoreline.

At night the Cobalt Lillyworm returns to dry land to feed on dead and decaying matter. These organisms lay large numbers of eggs on rotting corpses, especially those near the edges of ponds, lakes, swamps and bogs. When the eggs hatch the larva will devour the carcass and move on. With a lack of predators and ample sunlight the Cobalt Lillyworm has spread to much of southern Drake. Wherever there is a patch of permanent water the Lillyworm can be found in great numbers. In places where the water freezes during the colder months they will wrap their wing-leaves around their bodies during the day and stay on land, creating a sort of tent. This helps them preserve their body heat and maximize what little sunlight they get.