#astrodoptera

The star-shaped mark is what remains of an incision scar from during her first instar, when her mother Rhalkxu used her blood to resurrect Chekorhothk. It has faded with each moult and is not present in her imago form.

erm, don't ask where the prolegs are, I think Astrodopterans evolved past the need for them (although maybe the structures still exist, they just don't break through the exoskeleton(?). caterpillar anatomy is weird)

I think since the caterpillar abdomen is not used for locomotion it is often well-decorated, especially for children raised as sons in rich families. Because being ostentatious is considered to be masculine, aristocratic parents will dress their sons* with lots of jewelry and bright colours. Also fathers will tend to dress their sons* in their own accent colours (which is why Koloko is shown here wearing red).

While we're at it, daughters* are often dressed with minimal clothing (the Astrodopterans don't really have anything against nudity). If it is present it's in very drab colours. Rich families will give their daughters* some ornamentation but it's usually nothing compared to their sons*. The colours of the clothing is usually a dark or muted version of the father's colours. The only exceptions are: 1) if they are in the Royal Family and the current monarch is a lady 2) if they are in aristocrat family and the head of the household is a lady. (the line of inheritance is based on the eldest child rather than eldest son) 3) if they are in a commoner family and the mother is a widow

if the current monarch is a lady there is usually an uptick in daughters* being dressed in their mothers' colours (sometimes sons too if they get reaally radical about it)

Caterpillars are unfortunately not afforded a lot of autonomy in the Shadow Kingdom. Because of the life cycle of insects, many denizens of the Shadow Kingdom believe that a caterpillar is still unborn, and the Astrodopteran only becomes a person when it emerges from the chrysalis. *EXTREMELY LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER*

The hexagonal symbol is meant to represent the constellation of the Apiary, which the Royal Family follows. While it is advantageous for the current monarch to not show off their constellation alignment too much (tbh I just hadn't thought of this yet when I designed Kuhathkasokt's outfit), they can dress their caterpillars however the fuck they want. I've written on Koloko's feelings on religion before :)