Clip beetle/Legends

Clip beetles were small non-sentient insects that were genetically created by the Yuuzhan Vong species. In existence by 27 ABY, the beetle's flesh and its shell were both nutritious. A clip beetle's head could be used as a natural type of stitching for wounds, as the beetle could be encouraged to bite the flesh on either side of the wound, before having the rest of the beetle's body removed, leaving the head in place.

Biology and appearance
Clip beetles were a species of non-sentient insects that had an abdominal shell, as well as a head with a pair of mandibles. The beetle was small enough that an average sized Human could crack a clip beetle's shell open between a thumb and the first knuckle on one of his or her hands. The flesh of a clip beetle was pale purple in coloration, and was prized because of the significant amount of proteins and fats present in it. To some Humans, clip beetle flesh tasted like Mon Cala ice-lobster. The shells of the beetles were also high in nutrition.

Behavior
The clip beetle's habitat consisted of either jungles, swamps, or hills. When flesh was presented to them, clip beetles would attack it ferociously, biting it with their mandibles to hold on. Clip beetles could be persuaded to let their jaw hold lapse if their were tickled near the head joint. Because of their tight grip with their jaws, clip beetles were renowned for their use as natural stiches with which to close wounds. A clip beetle could be taken and placed close to an open wound, and the insect would latch onto the flesh on either side. By twisting the body attached to the head, the two parts would separate, leaving the head with its jaws closing the wound shut.

History
Clip beetles were genetically created by the sentient Yuuzhan Vong species, from the planet of Yuuzhan'tar, sometime prior to 27 ABY, which was during the Yuuzhan Vong War, where the Yuuzhan Vong invaded a galaxy other than their galaxy. Clip beetles were prized by the Yuuzhan Vong for both their nutritional value, and their ability to be used as a natural stitch. At the time of the Yuuzhan Vong War, clip beetles were present in the Nursery, which was located in a Yuuzhan Vong seedship. In the Nursery, which was a playground for infant dhuryams, who had telepathic abilities, captured Jedi Jacen Solo made use of clip beetles to both feed himself and close the wounds of fellow slaves.

By 27 ABY in the Yuuzhan Vong War, clip beetle shells, due to their nutritional value, were fed to the immense ganadote creatures by the Yuuzhan Vong in order to help them grow. Clip beetles were also present on the world of Coruscant in 28 ABY, which had been captured from the New Republic by the Yuuzhan Vong, and disgraced Executor Nom Anor used clip beetles to help close the wounds of the warrior Kunra.

Behind the scenes
Clip beetles were first mentioned in Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand, a 2002 installment of The New Jedi Order series by Aaron Allston. The beetles later appeared in two other books in that same series: Traitor, released in 2002 as well, and Force Heretic I: Remnant, published in 2003. Clip beetles later received their own entry in 2008's The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.

Appearances

 * Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
 * Traitor
 * Force Heretic I: Remnant