Mirrorwings are insects whose hard outer shells are reflective like tiny mirrors. Although the flat shape of their shells causes them to be mistakenly referred to as butterflies, mirrorwings are actually a kind of beetle. The reflective outer shell protects a soft segmented body, three pairs of legs, and four pairs of nearly transparent flying wings. The two halves of the outer shell, which are dark gray on the backside, have a gentle “fluttering” motion while in flight, adding to the butterfly illusion. The average size of a mirrorwing is about 1.5 inches long with a 3-inch wingspan.

Although they can fold their shells protectively over their body, mirrorwings defend themselves primarily by camouflaging. The insects can move their shells independently and angle them with precision, causing the shiny surface to reflect their surroundings. In addition to their two large compound eyes, mirrorwings have two simple eyes towards the back of their head which look only at the reflection on their shells, aiding them in adjusting the angle. When camouflaging fails, mirrorwings generally attempt to distract or frighten their predators by flapping their shells and causing the light to reflect in blinding flashes. Mirrorwings also use flashes of light to communicate with each other by flapping their shells in a pattern, similar to Morse code. Some humans have learned to interpret the patterns, allowing them to pick up signals about the weather or oncoming danger from the beetles.

Despite the mesmerizing appearance their reflective shells have in flight, mirrorwings spend most of their time crawling in trees and bushes, using their hairy feet and highly sensitive proboscises to search for food. Mirrorwings eat mostly tiny bugs and the eggs and larvae of other insects, and they thrive in the dense forests of the warm central regions where insects are plenteous. Although they can survive in other climates, mirrorwings must avoid rapidly changing temperatures, which can cause their outer shells to crack.

Mirrorwings can mate at any time after reaching maturity, although females require an approximately three-week rest between broods to grow new eggs. A mature female continually carries a brood of 3-7 eggs, which are fertilized during mating and laid shortly after. Males signal when they are ready to mate by flashing their shells in a certain pattern. Mirrorwing eggs vary in size depending on how many there are in the brood and how long they have to incubate before being fertilized, but most of them are incredibly tiny. The eggshells are hard and reflective like an adult’s shell, only slightly duller. The reflective surface helps them to hide amongst the foliage in which they were laid and also makes them prized by humans; if carefully preserved, the eggs retain their reflective appearance and can be used as beads.

Newly hatched mirrorwings have no shells or wings, making them similar to ants in appearance and size, but they grow quickly if food is plenteous. Unlike the beetle’s soft body, the mirrorwing’s shell molts as it grows and continues to molt periodically in adulthood to keep the reflective exterior strong and shiny. When a mirrorwing molts, the old outer layer on the shell cracks and chips off in pieces, making the shell look as if it were “broken.” The freakish sight is regarded with suspicion in many cultures. In some, seeing a mirrorwing in the process of molting is considered bad luck, while to the elves of the central forests it is a symbol of chaos and disunity; just as each fraction of the shattered wing reflects a different image, so will brethren each uphold a different standard if not united under a common purpose. If an elf finds a mirrorwing dead with its shell in the process of molting, it’s considered a warning that the elf needs to repair his or her relationships before disaster strikes.

Because of their reflective surface and durable, lightweight quality, mirrorwing shells are highly prized by humans, although the forest elves do not harvest them as they do not believe in harming living creatures. Mirrorwing shells are used for both decoration and practical purposes and are used as a substitute for glass mirrors in many applications. Jewelry, light fixtures, and armor are just some of the many objects that are crafted out of mirrorwing shells; the dwarves are particularly famous for their body armor made from mirrorwing shells, which reflects light in a terrifying and blinding fashion.

These are so cool. I don't even have any questions about them.

Duuuuuuuuuuude. That is one cool bug. Nice work. The name is fancy.

These are one of my favorites of your fantasy creatures, Aubrey.

And these are my favorite parts, aside from the feature they get their name from:

Well! I didn't expect these to be so popular. Everyone seems to like my bugs, more so than any of my other elements. Intriguing... Irregardless, thank you all very much!

These are awesome. Clever interweaving of them into your world with the superstitions and the things people use their shells for. Good work.

That's high praise, little brother. Thanks!