7

In Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, after arriving in New York City (and I think only after his collection of magical creatures escapes his suitcase), Newt Scamander notices a bright blue insect that looks a bit like a wasp, several times. What is this thing, and does it have any significance in the plot? Is it a local creature that he longs to capture and study, or something he had inadvertently brought with him?

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

It's apparently a beetle called a Billywig. This Insider piece describes it. Here is an extract from there:

The sapphire blue insect has a stinger and wings on its head that let it spin while it flies. People stung by Billywigs may levitate while having a mild case of giddiness.

I don't recall seeing it come out of the Newt's case, but I am thinking it is not local to NYC because people don't seem to be levitating there for no apparent reason. I think Newt longs to closely study all magical creatures, so I would think the billywig is included.

Improve this answer
3
  • Is the insider an official source?
    – Michael Stern
    Nov 21, 2016 at 19:24
  • I would not characterize it as such. But I would say it has a lot of information that many people can find useful.
    – John
    Nov 21, 2016 at 19:26
  • 1
    OK, I found it here at Pottermore, which is certainly an official source: pottermore.com/explore-the-story/billywigs. I'll accept your answer.
    – Michael Stern
    Nov 22, 2016 at 3:02
3

It's a Billywig. He brought it with him and it escaped from his case. Strangely, they never show him recapturing it, or explain what happened to it.

Improve this answer
0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .