Armored Cannon Beetle Larva

Armored Cannon Larvae (referred as Armored Cannon Beetle Larva in Pikmin 2) are enemies found Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 3. They resemble large larvae with some of the similar Armored Cannon Beetle eyes and mouth. It acts the same as the Armored Cannon Beetle, but turns and spits at a faster rate and has much less health. They come in two types: one that walks around and one that burrows out of the ground and cannot be stunned with Purple Pikmin; Armored Cannon Larvae will only appear in the Piklopedia if the version that does not burrow out of the ground has been killed. A related species called Decorated Cannon Beetles exist in larval form, but the adults are never seen in either game.

Like the adults, they attack by shooting boulders from their snouts, and have a blowhole on the top of their head, but it is either non-functional or not as powerful, so Pikmin cannot become stuck in it like with the fully grown beetles. Because Cannon Larvae lack the thick exoskeletal armor of the adult beetles, these enemies are vulnerable all over their body, but can buck Pikmin off when attacked. They can be manipulated into destroying other creatures by making them spit boulders at a Captain when he is beside or behind an enemy. Moving out of the way before the rock hits him, the rock will hit the enemy that was behind him. The boulders that are shot out cannot be petrified. They can, however, be destroyed by landing a Purple Pikmin on top of one.

In Pikmin 3, the boulders shot from them realistically roll down hills and slopes, and can even change direction if the ground allows for it.

Olimar's Notes
This specimen is a lithopod larva. This expedition was unable to confirm the existence of any mature lithopods, leading to concerns that the species was extinct on this planet, but the discovery of the creature in larval form eased such concerns. Lithopods, like flint beetles, use internal metabacteria to aid chemical digestion. These metabacteria can only survive in certain environments, such as within the body of certain insects, so lithopod larvae do not contain any metabacteria immediately after hatching. Larvae feed on partially digested ore regurgitated by mature lithopods, ensuring the larvae obtain metabacteria they would not have normally acquired.

Louie's Notes
Carefully remove every grain of sand, peel back the exoskeleton, and slurp heartily!