Doc#: ARTEFACT-RECORD-735
Clearance: CLASSIFIED

Name: Assis Veneficus (Soldier)
Also Known As: Shilling Stinger
Identification Number: C1-204
Domain: 2
Threat Level: 2
Procurement Status: Acquired

Description:
Shilling Stingers are approximately 2-5 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. Their bodies are black and segmented like an ant’s, but with long hairy legs in numbers of anywhere between 6 to 13. Legspan can reach up to 40 cm. Shilling Stingers are most recognisable from the coin-like structure attached to the top of its exoskeleton. The coin is relatively small, around 1cm in diameter. Tucked below the coin are 4 red iridescent wings capable of flight and a flexible stinger. Shilling Stingers possesses a powerful venom that is capable of paralysing a human, but does not kill or aestheticise.

Behaviour:
Shilling Stingers act as soldiers and sensors for the nest. They do not plug the entrance holes as only Penny Crawlers have coins big enough. Should Shilling Stingers sense a presence close to the nest, they will emerge to defend and procure food. Upon successful capture of a meal, the Shilling Stingers will drag their unprocessed food into the feeding chamber. Here the meat is partially digested before being regurgitated into the “soup pool”. The resulting liquid is funneled down into the breeding chamber where it serves to nourish the grubs.

Anomalous Features:
Their sensing ability is considered anomalous as it does not rely on sight or vibrations. Nests have a designated area in which Shilling Stingers are able to sense. It is not known how they do this.

Additionally, they share an anomalous camouflaging ability similar to that of the Penny Crawler, able to shift coin colour from silver to bronze to gold.

Preservation Protocol:
Store in a clear polycarbonate container with dimensions of approximately 30 cm (w) x 30 cm (l) x 50 cm (h). The box should feature an alternating two sliding-panel closure system. Drill regularly spaced air holes with a maximum width of 2 mm into the sliding panels. The interior should have a base layer of soil 30 cm thick procured from the specimen’s originating environment. Feed weekly with a live mouse.

Clearance Level for access should be set at ACROAMATIC.

Other Notes:
For further clarification, Shilling Stingers and Penny Crawlers are of the same species (Assis Veneficus), but occupy different behaviours and roles within the nest.

Further Reading:
Doc#: ARTEFACT-RECORD-734