- "The same technology that is used to sweep people up and into their ships must work in the opposite way."
- ―Teyla Emmagan[src]
Wraith beaming devices (also called culling beams or transporters) are transportation devices used by the Wraith, primarily to aid in culling a planet.
Overview[]
Incorporated into Wraith Darts, culling beams shoot out from the bottom of the craft, sweeping along the ground and collecting any humanoid beings caught in it. The beams seem capable of distinguishing potential feeding targets from other matter; they will take mice from a box, but not the box itself, and do not scoop up grass or other organisms as they pass by. (SGA: "Duet")
Victims of the beam are held in the buffer until they are ready to be rematerialized. Upon rematerialization, the victim is rendered unconscious, as if hit by a Wraith stunner. It appears this effect is optional, as the beam can be used to transport Wraith troops and humans without causing any stunning effect. The beams are apparently capable of removing the pilot from the cockpit and transporting them to the ground in-flight if necessary. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 1", "The Siege, Part 2", "The Lost Boys")
The Dart's culling beam can be reconfigured for various purposes. Some Wraith facilities make use of the transport beam as an elevator system, similar to Atlantis transporters. In addition to culling humans and offloading passengers, they can be used to beam up specific objects. Todd was able to efficiently steal numerous Zero Point Modules from Asuras in this manner. They can also be used to scan structures without beaming up any matter. (SGA: "The Brotherhood", "Spoils of War", "Reunion")
At close enough range, culling beams can act like an Asgard transporter. While raiding Queen Death's hive, Just Fortune was able to transport most of Sheppard's team and Todd out in a similar manner to a 304 when the George Hammond couldn't get close enough to do it themselves. (SGA: "The Furies")