Skartoissa

Skartoissa is a fictional genus of lepidopteran insects created for speculative biology and worldbuilding. In the in-world taxonomy, Skartoissa is placed in the order Lepidoptera and the fictional family Skartiidae. The genus comprises several species adapted to cool, temperate forests on the fictional continent of Veridia. It was first described in the in-universe encyclopedia Skartoissa Specula (2049), and is noted for its iridescent wing scales and nocturnal habits.

Morphology and life cycle: Adults measure about 2–4 centimeters across the wings. Forewings display brown and metallic silver markings, while hindwings are often lighter. Larvae feed on moss and lichen on tree trunks and spin silk that stabilizes their feeding galleries. The species undergo complete metamorphosis; eggs laid on the host substrate hatch after roughly 10–14 days. Development rates slow at higher elevations, and populations may be univoltine or bivoltine depending on climate.

Distribution and habitat: Skartoissa species occur in montane forests at elevations roughly 800–1800 meters, preferring old-growth stands with ample bark texture and extensive moss cover. Ecology: adults function as pollinators for understory flowers; larvae influence bryophyte communities by browsing on lichens and moss. Predators include small insectivorous birds and bats. In the narrative framework, Skartoissa is sometimes used as a case study in forest ecosystem dynamics and species–habitat relationships.

Species and taxonomy: Notable species include Skartoissa borealis, Skartoissa alba, Skartoissa lumina, and Skartoissa nyctophila. Some sources describe additional forms as subspecies depending on altitude and microhabitat. Conservation status in the fictional setting is generally stable, though habitat loss and climate change are depicted as potential threats in certain regions of Veridia.