Armored Cannon Larva

Armored Cannon Larvae (Known as the Armored Cannon Beetle Larva in Pikmin 2, the Armoured Cannon Larva in the European version of Pikmin 3, and the Armoured Cannon Beetle Larva in the European version of Pikmin 3 Deluxe) are enemies in Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3, and Pikmin 4. They resemble large larvae with some of the similar Armored Cannon Beetle eyes and mouth. They act the same as the Armored Cannon Beetle, but turn and spit at a faster rate and have much less health. Their boulders roll in a straight line in Pikmin 2, but can follow the terrain's curvature in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4. They come in two types: one that walks around and one that burrows out of the ground; only the burrowing form is found in Pikmin 3 and 4. A related species called Decorated Cannon Beetles exists in larval form in Pikmin 2, but the adults are not seen in any game so far.

Like the adult Cannon Beetles, they 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 Beetle Larvae lack the thick exoskeletal armor characteristic of the adult beetles, these enemies are vulnerable all over their body, but can buck the Pikmin off when attacked. They can be manipulated into destroying other creatures by making them spit boulders at a leader when they are beside or in front of an enemy, so long as the leader moves out of the way before the rock hits them.

In Pikmin 2, the rocks that are shot out cannot be petrified; however, they can be destroyed if a Purple Pikmin is thrown on them. In addition, leaders can withstand a rock collision without suffering damage or knockback by lying down.

When a mature Armored Cannon Beetle and a mature Horned Cannon Beetle breed, the resulting larva are territorial and aggressive. This behavior may be attributed to either the wandering larva in Pikmin 2, or the larva that constantly shoot rocks in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4.

Buried
At times, Armored Cannon Larvae might appear buried in the ground, instead of free-roaming. They will never unearth more than half of their body, and will not move from their spot. This is only a special state in Pikmin 2, as it is the only version of the enemy in later games.

In Pikmin 2, a buried larva is internally recognized as a different enemy from the "normal" one. It has a lot more health than the walking counterpart. Due to what appears to be oversights, this buried version cannot be stunned by Purple Pikmin, and defeating it will not work for unlocking the Armored Cannon Larva entry on the Piklopedia, though this was fixed for the Switch port. While game files indicate that the buried version has the same stun time and stun chance as the roaming one, the buried larva cannot be stunned since it is connected to the ground. In the Switch version of the game, buried larva count towards the Piklopedia.

Pikmin 2
The Armored Cannon Larva is a relatively stocky and slow creature. It wanders around aimlessly until confronted by a leader or a Pikmin, at which point it will take aim and fire a large boulder from its mouth. Though fast-moving, this boulder moves in a straight line, unlike those spat by the Decorated Cannon Beetle. The rocks crush any Pikmin caught underneath them and deal great damage to other enemies. When attacked, the creature will buck all Pikmin off with a very similar motion to the Fiery and Watery Blowhogs.

Occasionally the Armored Cannon Larva is found buried in the ground, in which case it will halfway emerge when approached. Though this variation will not move, its attacks are identical to its walking counterpart. Additionally, it is sturdier, being unable to be stunned by Purple Pikmin and having significantly more health.

Pikmin 3
The Armored Cannon Larva is very similar to its appearance in Pikmin 2. Notably, it now only appears in the ground, and its boulders are unable to crush Rock Pikmin, and strangely, Winged Pikmin. If far away, its boulders go in a set path, and if the player is close to it the boulders go straight forward.

Pikmin 2
If enough Pikmin are available, swarm it and it should die before it can harm any Pikmin. If there aren't enough to do this or there are other factors that make this strategy ineffective, throw Pikmin onto it, preferably from behind. If the beetle bucks, call the Pikmin back as quickly as possible, repeat this process until the creature is defeated. If the larva is able to spit a rock, once it begins the animation, round up all the Pikmin you can and guide them out of the boulder's path using the swarm maneuver. Another strategy is to throw Purple Pikmin on it, stunning it. It is a more effective strategy, but if no Purple Pikmin are available and/or if they shouldn't be risked, the first strategy is recommended.

Alternatively, if you are placing a high priority on Pikmin life, then you can just use the leaders to deal with the creature. Punch it until it begins its bucking animation, then back away for a second, and return to attack. This may take a while but you will eventually defeat the creature by repeating this process. If two larvae are present in the same area, you can defeat them in a much more timely fashion by drawing one's aim over to the other, and having the rocks they spit do the killing.

Pikmin 3
Approaching the creature with Rock Pikmin will work best, as they are immune to its crushing boulders. When it emerges, throw the Rocks quickly onto it. 20 direct hits will kill the creature. If no Rock Pikmin are available, then use a large army of preferably Red Pikmin to defeat the Cannon Beetle in a very short time by charging at it just after it emerges from the ground. If executed properly, the creature won't be able to attack even once. Note that Winged Pikmin are also immune to its boulders, in that they get knocked back instead of killed, making them effective at killing the creature.

Trivia

 * Its movements are somewhat similar to grounded Blowhogs, as well as their bucking noise.
 * If the game is paused just as the creature makes its first dying sound, some strange noises will be heard, that get lower and lower, lasting for more than 10 seconds. This sound is the same death sound as the Ravenous Whiskerpillar's, but slowed down and normally cut off early. The same will happen with a Decorated Cannon Beetle.
 * The actions of the boulders spat out of the Armored Cannon Larva and Decorated Cannon Beetle resemble the actions of the green and red shells from the Mario Kart series. Green shells, when used, move straight forward, much like the green creature's Armored Cannon Larva's boulders. Red shells, when used, home in on the player in front, much like how the red Decorated Cannon Beetle's boulders home in on leaders.
 * Given unknown circumstances, it's possible for a walking Armored Cannon Larva to turn into the buried version. This glitched buried version can also get stunned, unlike the regular buried version.
 * The Japanese version of Olimar's notes on the Armored Cannon Larva mentions glint beetles instead of flint beetles.
 * In Japan, the Armored Cannon Beetle and Armored Cannon Larva have two different species name. The inclusion of the word Yamato in the larva name implies that the Larva is of the continental breed, known as the Strong-Armed Cannon Beetle in the Player's Guide.