Vespid
The Vespid, Stingwings (by the Imperial Guard) or Mal'Kor (by the Tau)2 are a race of insectoids, first introduced to the Warhammer 40,000 universe in Codex: Tau Empire, during 4th edition. The term Vespid is Latin for 'wasp'.
Inspiration
In the Tau army each unit works together as a concerted whole. As with all Tau army units, the Vespids were developed in the game to fulfill a unique and specific role in the Tau force. This role seems to be rapid attack as their wings and remarkable agility allow them to move quickly from point to point on the battlefield.
Physiology and Biology
The inhabitants of the planet Vespid (also known as Vespids), are a bipedal, vaguely insectoid race which have a sturdy chitinous exoskeletal barbed armour that encases their bodies. They stand some what taller than the average human and appear to be much faster, due to the chitinous wing-like protrusions on their backs which emit a ultrasonic tone, which they use to control and modulate their technology. They have three pairs of eyes running in two lateral lines down their faces, one perceives the ultraviolet range, the second perceives the normal visible spectrum, and the last sees the infra-red. The females are larger.2
Their mouths are an arrangement of mandibles each with a row of sharp teeth.
Society
The Vespid warriors, called Stingwings, form tactical units referred to as Strains. Each Strain is lead by a Strain leader.1 Because the Vespid language is so complex (presumably because of their complex mouths) and only the Strain Leaders are given the apparatus to translate their language to their Tau allies, Vespid Strains are very close knit and a lot of reliance on Strain Leaders comes from both sides.
Stingwing Strains are highly sought after in Tau Fire Warrior Cadres because of their high level of maneuverability. They are often used by Tau commanders alongside Crisis Battlesuits or used in a scouting role, backing up Pathfinders. In the Tau language they are referred to as "Mal'kor," which comes from "Mal" meaning insect and "kor" meaning air.
Technology
The Vespid have use a crystal technology, exotic crystals which are only found on the bottom of the floating islands of their homeworld, which they manipulate with their ultrasonic sounds manipulated from their wings.2
From the Tau they have gained armor and weaponry, and a Vespid Communion Helm that enables them to more freely communicate with other races (as their own language is extremely complex and for the most part inimitable). Their weapons are a mixture of Tau technology and Vespid resources enables them to act as specialist against heavily armored troops (specifically the Space Marines, whom the Tau have always had problems fighting against).
The Neutron Blaster which the Vespid Stingwings carry, is a unique blending of Tau technology and the unstable radioactive crystals that the Vespid mine. The energy harnessed from the crystal allows the weapon to strip atoms off of the target. Due to the Vespid's wings creating different harmonic resonances within the crystal, they are the only creatures able to effectively wield the Neutron Blaster.
In terms of their own technology, the closest thing that has so far been recognized is their own wings. It is unclear yet just how their wings are used, whether they are flexible enough to oscillate fast enough or are capable of ejecting fluid or plasma to produce lift, is yet to be ascertained. In either eventuality they are capable of flight and are often deployed onto the battle field from the air, enabling them to join the battle in the most suitable location.
