Antlion
Antlions (known as to as biotics by Combine forces) are a species of insect-like aliens that have arrived on Earth, from Xen, through the Portal Storms. They are a social species with an intricate caste system, similar to Earthly ants, bees and termites. There are extreme physical differences between the various castes, although all known castes of antlion (exluding larvae) have six legs and are blind. They communicated through pheromones and detect prey and predators through sound and vibrations of the earth. Common antlions and workers also posses wing which are used to complement jumping rather than for actual flight.
Colonies
Antlions dwell in underground colonies, made up of complex tunnels carved out by workers’ acid sprays (see below). If possible, antlions will also use pre-existing caverns as part of their colonies. Ventilation is provided by chimney structures that protrude from the ground above a colony, and are the easiest way of identifying a nest. These structures resemble large termite mounds and are much taller than a man.
The inside of a colony contains many tunnels and chambers for various purposes. Antlions spend the earliest part of their life in a honeycomb structure contained within an expansive nursery deep within the colony. They then develope into grubs, which are housed throughout the colony, but most densely in chambers surrounding the nursery.
A non-sticky webbing is ued throughout the colony to seal off tunnels, create food-storage "pinatas", create walkways and coat grub chambers. It is unknown which of the caste exretes this webbing, be it the workers or the grubs themselves.
Antlions are territorial and will defend their nests from interlopers viciously, esspecially during their spawning season, where they will not only defend the colony, but are also in search of extra sustenance for their young. The common antlions will deal will any trespassers above the colony, which can be detected through the vibrations they make while stepping upon the soil above the nest. If a trespasser is sufficently troublesome a guard will emerge to challege him. Anyone brave, or foolish, enough to enter a colony will find it defended by not only the common drones, but also the workers, with the inner-most chambers patrolled by the antlions' strongest champion; the guardian.
Husbandry
Antlion farming was one a Vortigaunt practice. Antlions naturally produce many useful substances: The grubs, as well as being rather tasty, will, when squashed, excrete a yellow pellet with great medic properties; the workers produce a natural acid that they use to carve out tunnels; pheromones can be extracted from guards that allow the shepherding of common drones; but the most prized of the harvests is a substance known simply as the larval extract, which can grant a group of Vortigaunts extraordinary levels of manipulation of the Vortessence.
Castes
Antlions start their life as larvae in small, honeycomb-like structures housed in a large nursery. They are tended to by the other antlions have their own dedicated protector; the antlion guardian. This is a necessary precaution, as not only are the larva the most delicate form of antlions, but they are also highly sought after by Vortigaunts, for an extract which allows full submersion in the Vortessence.
The next stage of development for antlions is the grub form. Grubs are small, docile creatures that spend their time passively clinging to available surfaces and feeding. Grubs are spread out through the whole of a colony, even to the very outskirts, but have much more concentrated numbers around the larval nursery. They are tended-to and fed by workers, often with human-meat.
When frightened grubs will chirp in alarm but make no move to defend themselves. If one squashes a grub (an easy feat to accomplish) a yellow pellet is excreted. This pellet has powerful healing properties and is particularly useful for hive robbers who have attained antlion-related injuries.
Known generally just as antlions, these are the most well-known and -seen caste, because they are the ones that venture above-ground the most. They can sense vibrations through soil and sand, and will viciously attack all trespassers. They are especially violent during the spawning season. Once a victim has been killed, they will return the body to the hive so that it can be used to feed the other antlion castes, including the grubs.
These antlions possess the ability to jump large distances using their powerful leg-muscles and small wings, allowing them to easily reach prey that is some distance away or that is on higher ground. It is possible that these wings allow partial- or full-flight in the lower-gravity environment of Xen. These antlions generally attack using their large front legs, which taper down into sharp claws and, although they are comparatively weak, a small group can easily overwhelm even a heavily armed individual.
Antlion workers (also known as acidlions) rarely venture outside of the colony. As one would expect, they build and maintain and the colony. A worker’s most unique feature is its long-range, toxic acid spray (also a potent neurotoxin), which is used mainly for the carving out of tunnels for the colony but can also be used to attack interlopers. At close-range workers can also attack with their front claws, similar to the common antlions. They also share the common antlion’s wings and jumping abilities. Upon death workers will usually explode in a spray of acid, unless they die of drowning or other non-violent causes.
The guards (refered to by Vortigaunts as Myrmidonts) are the large, powerful, heavily-armoured defenders of the colony. They defend the colony against particularly large threats. They will attack, single-mindedly and fiercely, all threats, that is, any living creature in the vicinity that isn’t an antlion.
Their main method of attack is a bull-rush capable of killing most creatures upon inpact. At a distance they can use their heat butt to launch heavy objects at a target with deadly accuracy. Killing a guard is no easy task; they can resist several blasts from high explosives or direct hits with an energy pellet.
Guardians can command their smaller brethren using naturally-produced sacks of pheromones (known as pheropods or bugbait) that can be shot from the body in order to mark targets for attack. These can be extracted upon the guard's death.
A guardian is a special form of guard whose sole duty is to protect the larvae of the colony. They are distinct from ordinary guards by their green body with luminous yellow sections.
Their skin also excretes poisons, making their head butts even more deadly. They will hunt down any intruder who dares approach the larvae, and will even follow one out of the nest again. If a guardian is killed, the larval extract will be ruined. What causes this is unknown, but it makes life even more difficult for those who wish to posses the extract.
Counteracting antlions
Defence against a nearby antlion nest is difficult as they very difficult to rout. The easiest solution is to try and stop them spreading. For this purpose, large machines, dubbed restrictors by the Combine, or thumpers by the rebels, that pound the ground relentlessly were created.
Antlions find the massive vibrations caused by these machines intimidating and refuse to approach them or tunnel beneath them. These must be maintained and remain active without pause as antlions are always eager to spread their reach. It should be noted that guards generally seem to ignore thumpers, not being bothered by their presence in the least.
As mentioned above, pheromones can be extracted from guards that will fool any lowly antlions into thinking that the bearer is a guard. This keeps one safe from antlion attacks and even enables one to use the antlions as a weapon. Be warned though, as this offers no protection against antlion guards.
The antlion king was intended to be a boss in Half-Life 2. As the antlion tunnels were removed from the game, he was squeezed out. Despite some fan speculation, he did not make a comeback for the Episode Two antlion levels. As it stands, there is no canonical mention or appearance of the antlion king.
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Antlion
