Antenna Beetle

The Antenna Beetle is a type of enemy in Pikmin 2 which distracts Pikmin. Antenna Beetles use their wings to produce sounds of a high pitch, which interferes with the Treasure Gauge and attracts nearby Pikmin, similar to the whistle. This noise overrides any commands issued by a leader, so the Antenna Beetle can take command of any Pikmin that are nearby, which can indirectly harm Pikmin by leading them into a hazard. The only way to regain control of the Pikmin is to kill the enemy or force it to leap away again.

The enemy periodically jumps high in the air and returns to the ground, stumbling as it lands. It can be prompted to jump again by attacking it or approaching it often. It can be attacked by swarming it as it lands or throwing Pikmin on top of it. If a Pikmin lands on it, it will roll over, not much different from an Anode Beetle. Purple Pikmin may also stun it if thrown on top, preventing it from getting up and jumping away.

The Antenna Beetle is relatively rare, found in only a few caves. The Treasure Gauge fluttering about and flashing a pinkish color is an indication that an Antenna Beetle is on the current sublevel.

Pikmin under its control are immune to most dangers, as they follow the same rules as wild Bulbmin. This means that they are ignored by enemies and only killed by crushing and hazards, though explosions will knock them back. The real danger is when the Antenna Beetle hops away and the Pikmin become idle.

Trivia

 * There is an unused image of the Antenna Beetle in the style of 2-Player Battle's roulette icons, implying that at some point in development there may have been a powerup to spawn an Antenna Beetle near the opponent.
 * If the Antenna Beetle is killed while Pikmin are in its control, the Pikmin will panic and scream, like Bulbmin when their leading adult is killed.