"A look at its genome strongly suggests the creature is engineered. The patterning is too artificial, too signature to have evolved purely by chance. The big question is who created this pest, and why?"
Stone mites were crustaceans that clung to spaceships and buildings, consuming hulls and metal plating with a combination of strong, wire-cutting jaws and acidic saliva. They fed specifically on the silicates and complex metals. Three individual stone mites could merge to form a symbiotic triont that featured a hard shell, which strengthened from electrolytic reactions. As defense, they could weld themselves to a metallic surface and deliver electric shocks through their feeler tails.
Stone mites on Nar Shaddaa, during the Clone Wars.
On Ord Tiddell, thousands of stone mites infested its capital Lagabee, with four million planetary residents requesting evacuation. In 19.9 BBY, a freighter called the Spinner crashed near Westport and released an infestation at Kishi; as a result, Armand Isard ordered their release on Orleon.
The only known manner of eliminating these genetically-engineered pests was through the use of oxidizer foam. When applied, the substance would actually rust the mites to death. Jedi healers were able to use morichro against them.