Pseudolibellus

Captain's Log of Serge Stone, commander of the exploration starjumper "Cognition-5"; expedition to the planet Kepler-213d (Zarafon); entry № 29501009:

"Today, Svyatoslav (xenobiologist), Marie (geochemist), and Peter (meteorologist) finally returned from a three-day expedition to the summit of Mount Asimov. The team welcomed them back with enthusiasm and joy. At the moment, all three are in the quarantine section (we don’t want any alien contagions reaching our camp, right?), undergoing medical examinations and sharing their experiences from the trip. To recap—the expedition, which took place from 10.06 to 10.09, aimed to collect biological and geological samples from the elevation known as "Mount Asimov," a name chosen by popular vote, as well as to install meteorological equipment at its highest point (2,808 feet). The ascent took approximately 36 hours, while the descent took about 30. During the expedition, our colleagues collected over 100 biological and 40 geological samples, took around 1,060 photos of the landscape, flora, fauna, and geological structures, and gained unique experience in mountain climbing on a planet outside the Solar System. A detailed report on the scientific data obtained during the expedition is documented in reports 29501009-a, 29501009-b, 29501009-c, and 29501009-d.

Perhaps the most notable achievement was by Svyatoslav, who managed to capture another local flying monster in one of his traps. He boasted that it’s the largest flying creature discovered on Zarafon so far. We’ve seen Pseudolibellus (as this genus has been named) before, flying over our camp, but this is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to hold one in our hands. Or rather, we will after quarantine. For now, we can only admire this creature (unfortunately deceased) through the quarantine section’s glass. Our team is captivated by its size and peculiar coloration. Even I, though I view the local fauna with caution, have to admit that nature outdid itself with this creature. Golden wing joints, wings shimmering with shades of turquoise, velvety blue-green legs, and a head covered in a spotted pattern—Pseudolibellus is quite colorful compared to other species we’ve studied.

From what we’ve learned about these giants, they inhabit the entire equatorial region, but are more commonly found in tropical mountain jungles. They are predators, hunting small Needlnoses and Squeakers, injecting digestive enzymes into their prey with their proboscis. They lay eggs on the trunks of plants in shallow river and lake waters. The larvae live underwater, feeding on small aquatic creatures. After two years, they form a cocoon, from which the adult imago emerges.

Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling about this species. Their large size and bright coloring might attract poachers among future colonists. It’s quite possible that Pseudolibellus will soon join the ranks of Indian elephants, leopards, and sperm whales—endangered species. Although, perhaps I’m being overly dramatic."