War Wasp

War Wasps are airborne insects inhabiting several planets in the Metroid Prime series. They are first seen in Metroid Prime on the Frigate Orpheon as a Space Pirate specimen in Biohazard Containment. They rarely stray far away from their War Wasp Hive unless pursuing an immediate threat and will often attack without any regard for its survival. They can incapacitate most small organisms by injecting them with toxins from their stingers.
Numerous strains of War Wasps exist, some of which possess unique physiological or behavioral traits. Despite these differences and the various planets they are featured in, Samus' Scan Visor categorizes them as the same species.
Gragnols of Bryyo, the Mellows on Zebes and the various creatures spawned from Fly Pods on the BOTTLE SHIP share similar behavior to War Wasps.
==Locations==
===Metroid Prime===
*Biohazard Containment
*Ruined Gallery
*Ruined Nursery
*Sun Tower
*Arboretum
*Main Plaza
===Metroid Prime Hunters===
*Echo Hall
*Drip Moat
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes===
*GFMC Compound
*Sacred Path
*Torvus Transport Access
*Temple Assembly Site
*Communication Area
*Sacred Bridge
*Hall of Eyes
*Path of Eyes
*Meeting Grounds
*Portal Terminal
*Mining Station A
==Tallon IV breeds==
===Standard War Wasp===
As previously mentioned, the very first War Wasp seen by Samus was kept in suspended animation inside the Frigate Orpheon in orbit above Tallon IV. It belongs to the standard blue strain, which is commonly seen on the planet below, specifically in the long-abandoned Chozo Ruins. According to the Biohazard Containment scan, the War Wasp species is native to Tallon IV, although it may just be referring to this specific breed.
War Wasps are aggressive, territorial and will go to great lengths to protect their hive, even attacking other organisms they deem a threat without provocation. A singular War Wasp will "scout" the surrounding Hive area for food. If another creature wanders too close, this recon Wasp will shriek loudly before quickly returning to its native Hive, where it will alert its brethren and come out in groups to attack the intruder. They attack by jutting their stingers against Samus. A few shots from her Power Beam can kill this base strain, however more individuals will ceaselessly spawn out from the nearby hive to replace the deceased ones until she targets and destroys the hive itself.
War Wasps do not seem to exhibit any signs of intraspecific competition; many different Hives can exist within close proximity to each other in harmony.
===Ram War Wasp===
The smartest and fastest species of War Wasps on Tallon IV that reside inside the Hive Mecha. Easily identified by their red color. As a single intelligence, they carry out coordinated attacks to take out huge organisms by striking simultaneously from all sides.
===Barbed War Wasp===
The most aggressive species of War Wasps. Green in color, they have evolved the ability to launch their regenerative stinger at prey, which can be propelled at long distances. Barbed War Wasps live in nests above the Incinerator Drone in the Chozo Ruins. 
==Alimbic Cluster breeds==
===Standard===
The basic War Wasp featured in Metroid Prime Hunters behaves identically to the standard Tallon IV strain, with very few physiological differences. Interestingly, despite this basic strain existing on both Alinos and Arcterra, planets with extremely different climates, no unique adaptations can be noted.
===Barbed War Wasp, Red Barbed War Wasp and Blue Barbed War Wasp===
The Barbed Wasps, on the other hand, have evolved into three subspecies in the Tetra Galaxy. There is a green variant, alongside red and blue mutants as well; the latter two have developed projectiles that reflect the climates of the planets they are found in, Alinos and Arcterra, respectively.
==Aether breeds==
===Standard===
In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the basic War Wasp has a unique physical appearance from previous standard counterparts. They possess a head with a total of nine ocular organs, have no legs and their color are a mix of orange and purple. Spots on their abdomen resembling additional eyes can be seen. They can shoot weak energy blasts from their stinger, making this War Wasp somewhat of a mix between the basic and Barbed breeds from other planets. It is implied that PFC E. Denys was killed by these organisms due to his corpse looking down a hole containing these organisms.
===Dark War Wasps===
These Darklings are the result of Aetherian War Wasps being possessed by young Ing. The fusion alters their physiology. Additionally, they are more aggressive and their projectiles, which are slightly more potent, are launched faster than the natural variant's.
==Official data==
===Metroid Prime Logbook entry===
====Scan images====
WarWaspOrpheonScan - Remastered.png|Scan image on the Frigate Orpheon in Prime Remastered
WarWaspScan2 - Remastered.png
WarWaspOrpheonScan.png|Scan image on the Frigate Orpheon in Prime
WarWaspScan2.png
===Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide===
;War Wasps
:"These dangerous insects are very protective of their hives. If you get too close for their comfort, which can be quite far, they come out of the hives to attack with their poisonous stingers. Use your Power Beam to quickly destroy them. War Wasps will continue coming out of their hives until the hive is destroyed. You can't destroy the hives right now because doing so requires the Missile Launcher." 
;War Wasp
:Found In: Chozo Ruins
:Recommended Weapon: Any
:"War Wasps live in War Wasp Hives high on the walls of Chozo Ruins. Stirred up when you near their hive, they attack with their venomous stingers. They aren't very fast, and can be destroyed by a couple of Power Beam shots. They can be overwhelming if they swarm while you are standing on a ledge or platform. Destroy them all before they reach you, and don't forget to shoot a missile at the hive. See War Wasp Hive."
===Metroid Prime: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide===
;WAR WASP
:"War Wasps are beelike creatures that attack in numbers. They will circle your position for a moment, and then swoop in with stingers at the ready. Try to take them out before they get close enough to hurt you. A few blasts from the Arm Cannon will be sufficient."
===Metroid Prime Official Perfect Guide===
;WAR WASP
:"These are wasp-like creatures that flit about and attack with razor-sharp stingers. Lock on from a distance and blast away to kill them."
===Biohazard Containment===
===Metroid Prime Hunters Logbook entry===
===Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Logbook entry===
===Metroid Prime Pinball manual===
"Beelike creatures that like to attack in numbers."
===Official Metroid Prime website===
"War Wasps rarely stray from their hive unless pursuing an immediate threat. They attack with no regard to their own survival, dive-bombing enemies with stingers extended. The War Wasp's large abdomen hold fast-working toxins capable of incapacitating most small organisms.
The War Wasp is a flying insect equipped with a venomous stinger capable of shearing steel. The War Wasp uses lightweight wings to quickly fly through the air, guiding itself with long antennae."
==Development notes==
According to former Retro Studios tech lead Jack Mathews, the AI that controls the War Wasps was the second to be programmed during the development of Metroid Prime, after the AI for Beetles.
==Trivia==
*It is curious that the War Wasps on Aether, Tallon IV and in the Tetra Galaxy all have significantly different appearances, despite sharing the same name. This may suggest they share a common ancestor, and evolved differently after being dispersed across the galaxy via unknown vector(s). It is known that the Luminoth and Chozo crossed paths during their interstellar travels, exchanging knowledge among other gifts prior to settling on Aether and Tallon IV, respectively. They may have exchanged life forms as well, intentionally or otherwise, potentially explaining the War Wasps' presence across the cosmos.
**Alternatively, the similarities in the creatures may be the result of convergent evolution, in which different organisms on their respective planets independently evolved identical traits and behaviors.
*The War Wasps seem to be heavily based on Earth's wasps in behavior. Both emerge from Hives, are highly aggressive insects and possess a queen. However, the existence of a "royal jelly" in the War Wasp species is a trait shared with bees.
*The adult Chykka, the boss which defends the Dark Torvus Temple, is similar in appearance to War Wasps.
*The prominent, bulbous abdomen of the War Wasp resembles that of the Plated Beetle.
*In Metroid Prime Hunters, the icon for the Bioform section of the Logbook heavily resembles a War Wasp.
==Gallery==
War Wasp.png|Metroid Prime official artwork
War_Wasp_Scan_Images_Dolphin_HD.jpg|War Wasp Scan in Metroid Prime.
Early War Wasp model.PNG|Metroid Prime model.
Ramer123.jpg|The War Wasps in Pinball appear to be Ram War Wasps.
ONM Metroid, War Wasp and Parasite magnets.jpg|Official Nintendo Magazine magnet.
MPR WarWasps.png|War Wasps in Metroid Prime Remastered
Character Gallery - War Wasp.png|Metroid Prime Remastered Character Gallery
Biology - Remastered 03.png|Artwork of War Wasps and Barbed War Wasps from Metroid Prime Remastered.
==References==
es:Avispa Guerrera
ru:Боевая Оса
Category:Species
Category:Frigate Orpheon
Category:Tallon IV
Category:Tallon Overworld
Category:Chozo Ruins
Category:Aether
Category:Temple Grounds
Category:Agon Wastes
Category:Dark Aether
Category:Ing Hive
Category:Sky Temple Grounds
Category:Alimbic Cluster
Category:Alinos
Category:Arcterra
Category:War Wasp Family
Category:Poisonous Flora, Fauna, and Fungi
Category:Hive creatures
Category:Recurring Species
Category:Predators
Category:Small Flyers