Decorated Cannon Beetle

The Decorated Cannon Beetle is a mature form of the Decorated Cannon Beetle Larva. This large lithopod is easily recognizable by its golden exoskeleton which shines brightly and is completely impenetrable to attack. Like its larval form, this enemy can launch magnetic boulders from its mouth which are attracted to the spacesuits of leaders, making them particularly dangerous. Pikmin must be thrown into the Decorated Cannon Beetle's blowhole as it prepares to attack, which will force it to open its wingcase to ventilate, and leaves it vulnerable to attack. However, the release of such a large amount of energy causes the lithopod to rocket forward a fair distance, trampling any Pikmin in its path until it slows down. It is at this moment after it charges that it is optimal to throw Pikmin on its exposed backside before it can close up again.