Vespiform

Vespiforms were an insectoid race which had hives in the Silfrax Galaxy. (DW: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

Biology
Vespiforms were a species of insectoids which resembled oversized (nearly three metres long) wasps. They were powerful creatures, with large stingers which could be regrown within hours of use. They had the ability to transform into the guise of other species, even to the extent of near-Humans. The transformations were accompanied by a glowing, purple-pink haze and left behind morphic residue. When in another form, Vespiforms were genetically compatible with the mimicked species - they were even able to breed with members of the species.

Vespiforms also had telepathic recorders, an essential part of their mind which could record motivations for them. One such recorder, the Firestone, ended up in the hands of Clemency Eddison in 1885. (DW: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

Technology
Vespiforms had their own intergalactic travel capabilities, allowing them to travel from their home galaxy to Mutter's Spiral. (DW: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

History
At some point in their history in the 19th century or prior, the Vespiforms developed space travel.

The Vespiform were very rare in the Mutter's Spiral. Only one was seen on Earth, and it was believed that it had come to Earth in order to study it. (Captain Jack's Monster Files: Vespiform) In 1885, the Vespiform (simply known as Christopher) met Clemency Eddison and had a child with her. He later drowned in the monsoon of that year. The child was sent to be adopted and eventually became a reverend, Arnold Golightly. At the age of 40 in 1926, he had discovered his Vespiform nature. Because of the influence of Agatha Christie's novels and the Firestone, Golightly started committing various murders, his mind being intertwined with Agatha Christie's murder mysteries. The Doctor and Donna Noble were able to discover his crimes, panicking him and reverting him to his Vespiform appearance. Donna Noble was forced to kill him by throwing the Firestone into the lake. Golightly followed and drowned, but relieved Agatha of his connection with her in his dying moment. (DW: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

According to the Torchwood Institute, the Vespiforms may have gone to war with Quark rebels, though they themselves doubted the accuracy of that information. (Captain Jack's Monster Files: Vespiform)


 * Torchwood's belief that the Vespiforms may have gone to war with the Quarks is probably a reference to the Giant Wasps of The Killer Wasps.