Colossus wasp

The colossus wasp of Ithull, also known as the Ithullan colossus wasp, was a kilometer-long insect that was native to the planet Ithull and traveled between the star systems of the Stenness Node region, where it fed on stellar radiation, cosmic rays, minerals, and asteroid-dwelling creatures. The wasps had a thick exoskeleton and were well-adapted for interstellar travel, spending most of the time off their homeworld and only returning for reproduction.

More than four millennia before the Galactic Civil War, the husks of dead colossus wasps that were drifting in space inspired the miners of the Nessie species' group to attempt to convert them into freighters for transporting valuable mutonium ore to further-shipping points. By 3999 BBY, after decades of research into the prospect, the construction of the starships, known as the Ithullan ore haulers, had begun. During the building of the vessels, the internal organs of the colossus wasp bodies were cleaned out, leaving only the hollow exoskeletons, which were then outfitted with ore holds and the necessary starship systems, including engines and electronics. In addition, the thick exoskeleton itself was augmented with armor plating and deflector shields for defense.

Although the manufacturers of the Ithullan ore haulers claimed they only used naturally occurring husks of dead colossus wasps, the demand for the exoskeletons led to the emergence of the practice of poaching the creatures. Eventually, the construction of the ore haulers led to colossus wasps becoming rare and possibly even extinct.

Text and facts from the “Colossus wasp/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.