Iridescent Flint Beetle
The Iridescent Flint Beetle (コガネモチ?, lit.: "Small Riches Holder") is an enemy in Pikmin, Pikmin 2, and Pikmin 3. It is harmless to Pikmin, and instead runs around unpredictably. When a Pikmin is thrown directly on top of it, it will flip over and drop a useful object, such as a pellet or a drop of spray. Pikmin attacking from the ground cannot harm it. This enemy spends most of the time underground, only surfacing when a leader comes near, and it will return to the ground after some time has passed or after it has been hit enough times. ContentsStats[edit]
Pikmin[edit]In Pikmin, the Iridescent Flint Beetle is small, round, and green, and is fairly common. They are mostly found in foliage or in corners. When hit, they drop, in order[1]:
After that, more hits will not generate anything. This is difficult to achieve before it returns underground, however, due to its unpredictable and swift movement. It also poses an indirect threat to Pikmin, as it will often run through Olimar's army. This results in the Pikmin automatically attacking and chasing it unless called back, which can lead them into danger. Pikmin 2[edit] The creature on the Piklopedia. In Pikmin 2, the Iridescent Flint Beetle's appearance was slightly changed to have a different coloration, and it is slightly smaller. Pikmin no longer attack them automatically as they do in the original game. In all Pikmin 2 Challenge Mode levels they're in, these creatures drop treasures. They are found in similar locations, but only drop three things: a 1-pellet (a dose of nectar if it's underground), 2 doses of nectar, and then a dose of ultra-spicy spray (3 doses of nectar if the ultra-spicy spray hasn't been discovered yet). Using Purple Pikmin, it is easier to fight them due to the shockwaves that the heavy Purple Pikmin produce when thrown. It is possible to defeat these creatures while petrified, but they drop neither nectar nor spray and leave no corpse. On the main menu, if the player presses Pikmin 3[edit]In Pikmin 3, the Iridescent Flint Beetle was significantly redesigned. Its eyes are still on stalks, but it sports two horizontally-facing antennae that look almost like a mustache, its shiny exoskeleton seems to have layers and appears less vibrant, and its underside appears to have four glowing, blue spots. In Pikmin 3 Deluxe's Piklopedia, Olimar confirms this drastic appearance change is due to them being a subspecies of the ones from previous games. The only way to harm one of these creatures, as with previous games, is by throwing Pikmin on its back, upon which it drops nectar or pellets. NotesReel notes
“This forager stores undigested pellets in its stomach for winter.” Olimar's notes
“Flint beetles are nocturnal, choosing to hide in the grass by day and stay active at night. These creatures keep undigested food pellets in their stomachs to sustain them through winter, but given the right stimulus they will spit them out. Recent research has revealed that these pellets are enveloped in a membrane that seals and preserves them in a sterile, airtight environment. If kept at room temperature, it seems that this pellet membrane will keep its contents fresh for up to six months. The membrane may be made from the same substance that gives the exoskeleton of the flint beetle its beautiful sheen.” Louie's notes
“An essential flavor-accentuating ingredient in gumbo and jambalaya. Also delicious in soups, broths, and marinades.” Alph's comments“Structural flaw: back Brittany's comments
“The pop quiz of indigenous creatures. You might think you're ready for it, but when the time comes, you're probably not. There's no penalty for failure except missing out on neat rewards, which is basically torture.” Charlie's comments
“Finding one of these critters means it's your lucky day! If you can manage to hit it with Pikmin, it'll drop pellets and nectar. All you have to do is wait for it to stop and then press the attack!” Louie's comments
“An essential flavor-accentuating ingredient in gumbo and jambalaya. Also delicious in soups, broths, and marinades.”
“An essential flavour-accentuating ingredient in gumbo and jambalaya. Also delicious in soups, broths, and marinades.” Olimar's comments“Iridescent Flint Beetle Olimar's voyage log
“This creature's hypnotic reflective body is quite hard, giving it a good defense against Pikmin attacks. Why, then, do the Pikmin chase it in such a frenzy? I wonder if it will undergo any change if I hit it directly with Pikmin...”
Nintendo Player's Guide[edit]
“Squirrely Flint Beetles hold nectar. They won't harm your Pikmin, but they won't stand and let you defeat them, either. If you're on the trail of an Iridescent Flint Beetle, anticipate when it will stop moving, aim, then hit it with a quick accurate toss.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Guide[edit]“The Iridescent Flint Beetle is a harmless burrowing creature. Attacking the creature generally yields a nice supply of pellets and Nectar. The Iridescent Flint Beetle is a fast-moving creature. When the creature emerges, allow it to scurry around the area. When the creature stops moving, you have a brief window to attack. Toss a single Pikmin directly onto the Iridescent Flint Beetle to yield a nice reward. Repeat the process as many times as possible before the Iridescent Flint Beetle burrows back underground.”Behavior[edit]The Flint Beetle is harmless and will remain underground until a leader or Pikmin approaches its resting spot. Once active, the Flint Beetle will scurry about in no particular direction; only away from the player after being hit. It moves quickly and can be difficult to hit at times, but repeatedly flipping it over for up to three times will provide increasingly valuable rewards. After being hit three times, or being active for a certain amount of time, the creature will scurry back underground. Though it does not die, it will not return for the rest of the day/challenge. Strategy[edit]
While the Flint Beetle cannot be killed, it can have certain items knocked out of it. The creature can only be attacked with Pikmin, as leaders have no way of damaging this creature aside from ultra-bitter spray. Pikmin must be thrown at the Beetle's shell to flip it, knocking out useful items. The Iridescent Glint Beetle and the Doodlebug are damaged in the same way. Purple Pikmin in Pikmin 2 can home in, making them easier to hit with. With proper timing, or by repeatedly throwing Pikmin, one can hit the beetle before it begins running again, resulting in the creature staying in the same place. In the Super Smash Bros. series[edit]The Iridescent Flint Beetle appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as a trophy. Brawl trophy[edit]
Smash 4 trophy[edit]
Technical information[edit]
Other information[edit]
Naming[edit]The word "iridescent" in the Iridescent Flint Beetle's name means "shiny", referring to its shiny carapace. Flint is a type of rock, and this beetle was named after it. Its Japanese name is コガネモチ?. コガネ? means "Small amount of money", likely referring to how it gives out worse prizes than its golden counterpart, and モチ? means "holder". "Koganemushi" 黄金虫? also means scarab beetle, which its color is similar to. In its scientific name, Pilli envelopens, Pilli is close to the Latin word pili, which means "pikes". This word was possibly chosen because primitive pikes were made using flint stones. Envelopens is based on the English word "envelop", which means "to cover", possibly chosen due to the creature being mostly covered in a flint-hard shell. Its internal name in all of the games is Names in other languages[edit]
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