Doxy

Doxy
Species information
Hair colour	Black
Native to	America Europe
Alternative names	Biting Fairy
Ministry of Magic Classification	XXX
Status	Beast

The Doxy, sometimes referred to as the Biting Fairy, is a small Fairy-like creature, sometimes mistaken for a Fairy.

Nature

Physiology & Life cycle

The Doxy is covered in coarse black hair, and has an additional set of arms and legs. Doxys have shiny beetle-like wings, and a double row of sharp venomous teeth. If bitten, a wizard or witch should take an antidote immediately. Doxys bury their eggs underground, and Doxy Queens can lay up to five-hundred at once. The eggs generally hatch in two to three weeks.

Distribution

Preferring cold climates, the Doxy is found throughout Europe and North America.

Interaction with humans

Doxys are considered pests. They can infest houses, taking up residence in the draperies. Removing them requires a good supply of Doxycide. Alternatively, they can be dispatched with a simple Knockback Jinx, as doxies are particularly vulnerable to it, excluding the queens, with are more resistant.

Cormac McLaggen was known to have eaten a pound of Doxy eggs for a bet, making him unable to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team in his 6th year at Hogwarts.

Uses

Fred and George Weasley used Doxy venom for their Skiving Snackboxes, sold at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Harold Dingle used Doxy droppings to pretend it was powdered Dragon claw to sell to fifth years, but was confiscated by Hermione Granger.

Etymology

Doxy is an archaic English term, meaning "prostitute". It derives from the German word Docke, meaning "doll".

Behind the scenes

• In the GBC video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Folio Bruti entry for these creatures is titled "Doxy Drone". This might mean that, like the male honey bees, doxies may have a biological haplodiploid sex-determination system or simply that male doxies have distinct behavioural patterns.
• Despite being described as being covered in coarse black hair in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, their depictions in the video games normally include little or no hair and a dark blue or purple colour.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game) (PC Version)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
• Harry Potter Trading Card Game