Ovomorph

The Ovomorph is the first stage of the Xenomorph life cycle. It appears as a large egg-shaped organic capsule made from slick, leathery flesh. These eggs are laid from the ovipositor of a Xenomorph Queen and contain a fully formed Facehugger within.

While Ovomorphs are more commonly produced by Queens, there is a process by which Xenomorph Drones can convert the bodies of other life-forms into new eggs. If a Drone is absent from a hive, it will use an organic resin secreted from its own body to cocoon a victim's body. Within this cocoon, the body will be steadily converted into a new egg as the enzymes and hormones from the Xenomorph resin bond with its cell structure. Once the ovomorphing process is complete, the Drone will inject genetic material from its barbed tail to sire a Facehugger. The victim does not have to be alive for the process to work; dead bodies are equally viable.

Ovomorphs are anchored in place by a series of root-like nerves growing out from the base. These tendrils will soak up nutrients from the ground (depending on where the egg is laid) and may also serve as sensors for the egg to detect a potential host. Though the Ovomorph's flesh appears soft, it is actually quite durable; an egg can survive being dropped from considerable heights, even within high-gravity environments, without suffering any damage to itself or the Facehugger within. If an Ovomorph is forcibly ruptured, acidic blood will be released from the wound, injuring whomever attempted to breach it.

When an Ovomorph detects a potential host, the acids within are separated from the chemical salts within its circulatory system and injected into the dormant Facehugger, bringing it to life. The "petals" on top of the egg will open and release the Facehugger inside. The Facehugger will then actively seek out the host and attempt to couple with it. Once the Facehugger is disconnected, the Ovomorph will die.