Fire Flea

Fire Fleas (sometimes written as Firefleas) are a species of aerial insectoids indigenous to only the darkest of subterranean caverns in the various sectors of the planet Zebes. Similar to fireflies (after which they are very likely named), Fire Fleas fly around, communicating to one another by use of bioluminescence. Due to some evolutionary error, they are extremely fragile, and they can erupt and be destroyed by the simplest of touches, splashing their apparently hot or acidic bioluminescent fluid onto whatever touched it, likely injuring it. This may exist as a way to keep predators and other organisms away, in a similar fashion the bees or Earth will commit suicide, which causes their enemies to give them a wide berth.

As with all other species native to Zebes, it became extinct in the wild when Samus Aran finally destroyed the evil Mother Brain.