Nersas

Nersas are a fictional species featured in the science fiction novel "Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Within the narrative, Nersas are depicted as an intelligent, insectoid species that evolves on the terraformed planet of Kern's World. They are characterized by their multifaceted eyes, chitinous exoskeletons, and a complex social structure.

The Nersas are a eusocial species, similar to ants or bees, with a queen at the center of their society. This queen is responsible for reproduction and coordinating the colony's activities. Individual Nersas within the colony perform specialized roles, such as warriors, laborers, and tenders, contributing to the survival and prosperity of the group. Their communication is primarily through a combination of pheromones and complex vocalizations.

Over generations, the Nersas develop advanced technology and a sophisticated understanding of their environment. They are depicted as being highly adaptable and resilient, overcoming various challenges that threaten their civilization. Their biological makeup and evolutionary path are a significant element of the novel's exploration of intelligence and societal development in non-human life forms. The Nersas' interactions with the human survivors from the generation ship "Hasifer" form a central conflict and thematic core of the story.