Lantern Beetle

Lantern beetles (Na'vi name: kinamtsìng) are quadrupedal insects that have evolved from hexapods. Their rearmost pair of legs having adapted into raptorial claws, used for hunting smaller insects.
As well as for walking, their four remaining limbs are capable of powerful, near vertical leaps. Once in the air, they can inflate their large bellies, suspending them in place. This increases their size dramatically and serves as an excellent deterrent to larger predators. When airborne, they use a pair of small wings to navigate, searching for insects to consume.
The lantern beetles' bioluminescent skin emits a gentle purple light. This color plays an important part in their mating ritual, in which a cluster of lantern beetles float amongst one another. Unlike many mating rituals, this one is not a competition. Instead, it is about finding a pairing to individual taste. This suitability is determined by studying minor differences in the color of the lantern beetle's luminescence, assessing tone, vibrancy, and hue to find the perfect partner. These differences are so minuscule that they are invisible to both Na'vi and human eyes.
== Na'vi Culture ==
Lantern beetles are the subject of a Na’vi tall tale. The story tells of a one-in-a-million lantern beetle that can change its color on command - alternating between every color of the rainbow. The story is often told by older Na’vi, encouraging children to investigate otherwise intimidating caves in search of the rainbow beetle.
==Gallery==
Frontiers-of-pandora-concept-art-5.jpg|Concept art
File:Lantern beetle.png
File:Lantern Beetle Pandorapedia.jpeg|Pandorapedia image
== Sources ==
* Hunter's Guide in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
* Lantern Beetle Pandorapedia article
ru:Жук-светляк
pl:Żuk latarnik
Category:Creatures
Category:Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Category:Flying creatures
Category:Insectoids