Golden Cannon Beetle Larva

The Golden Cannon Beetle Larva is a lithopod appearing in Pikmin 251. It is a close relative of the Decorated Cannon Beetle Larva, and as such, it spits out magnetic boulders that follow leaders. They also spit boulders at a much higher velocity than most lithopods, as the boulders take longer to slow down and roll towards leaders after initially being spat out. Golden Cannon Beetle Larvae also have a much larger radius they can detect leaders and Pikmin in, making them especially dangerous. They are always found wandering around in a small territory, stopping to emit honking sounds before walking again.

As its name would suggest, the Golden Cannon Beetle Larva is primarily yellow in color. It is shaped like an ordinary cannon beetle larva, having a long, grub-like body with four legs towards the front of its body. Its legs, blowhole, and glowing eyes are lime in color, and so are the dots on either side of its body. The inside of its mouth is also lime in color.

The easiest and least risky way of taking down a Golden Cannon Beetle Larva is to lead its own boulders into it. However, its boulders can also be used to kill other enemies, so the Golden Cannon Beetle Larva should be defeated last if this tactic is used. If such a method cannot be employed, the optimal course of action against one of these creatures is to weave around its boulders until Pikmin can be thrown onto it. This can be challenging because of the Golden Cannon Beetle Larva's increased detection range and the velocity at which it spits boulders. Call Pikmin back before it bucks them off to prevent them from losing their buds or flowers, getting crushed by its boulders, or being thrown into a nearby pit. Keep piling Pikmin onto it, repeating the cycle of calling them off and throwing them on, until the creature dies.