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Armored Cannon Larva (フタクチドックリ) (referred to as Armored Cannon Beetle Larva in Pikmin 2) are enemies appearing in every Pikmin game except the first Pikmin. They resemble large larvae with some similar features to their adults, Armored Cannon Beetles. They also act the same as Armored Cannon Beetles, but turn and spit boulders at a faster rate yet have much less health. In Pikmin 2, 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 named Decorated Cannon Beetles exists in larval form, but the adults are never seen in any of the games. Pikmin 3 also introduces a variant called the Arctic Cannon Larva, which has much the same properties albeit the firing of harmless snowballs rather than deadly boulders. In Pikmin 4, they are functionally and physically identical to their previous appearances.
Like the adults, they attack by shooting boulders from their snouts, and have a blowhole on the top of their head. Unlike their adults, however, the blowhole it is either not yet 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 also be manipulated into destroying other creatures by making them spit boulders at a Captain when they are beside or behind an enemy. 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. The same appears to apply in Pikmin 4.
Notes[]
Nintendo Player's Guide[]
"Slow but mighty, Armored Cannon Beetle Larvae can make a good day into a bad one with one roll of a boulder. When one of the creatures sends a rock attack your way, use the C stick to have your Pikmin move out of the boulder's path as a tight unit, then throw soldiers onto the creature's back."
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 normally have acquired."
Louie's Notes[]
"Carefully remove every grain of sand, peel back the exoskeleton, and slurp heartily!"
Pikmin 3 Prima Guide[]
"The Armored Cannon Larva is another large, burrowing creature. Like the Arctic Cannon Larva, this creature attacks by firing projectiles at its enemies. Unlike the Snowballs utilized by its counterpart, however, the Armored Cannon Larva's projectiles are capable of crushing most Pikmin.
The Armored Cannon Larva's projectiles connot damage Rock Pikmin, but they will incapacitate them for a short time. When you attack one of these enemies, do so with a fairly large squad of Rock Pikmin. Flank the creature, then attack by throwing each of your Rock Pikmin for maximum damage."
Alph's Notes[]
"Structural flaw: weak hide
Weight: 7
It's able to handle heavy rocks, so it's strong, and it has expert aim, so it's clever. If it was better armored it would be unstoppable."
Brittany's Notes[]
"This thing eats rocks the way I eat fruit: its stomach is always full and it likes to spit out the seeds."
Charlie's Notes[]
"It spews rocks as well as any heavy artillery I've ever seen. Since we didn't bring any heavy artillery with us, I'd love to use this thing as a substitute. The trick will be figuring out how to lure our enemies into its line of fire."
Dalmo's Notes[]
Battle strategy[]
Pikmin 2[]
Pikmin[]
If enough Pikmin are available, it should be swarmed, 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, Pikmin should be thrown onto it, preferably from behind. If the beetle bucks, the Pikmin should be called back as quickly as possible, and the steps repeated. Another strategy is to throw Purple Pikmin on it, stunning it if it resides above ground. It is a more effective strategy, but if no Purple Pikmin are available and/or they should not be risked, the first strategy will work fine.
Captains[]
It should be punched until it is about to buck, then the player should run away, and then return to finish the assault. If there are idle Pikmin nearby, the cannon beetle's focus should be kept away from them. If there are two or more larvae, it is possible to make them kill each other with their boulders.
Pikmin 3[]
Approaching the creature with Rock Pikmin will work best, as they are immune to its crushing boulders. When it emerges, it's best to throw the Rocks quickly onto it. 20 direct hits will kill the creature. If no Rock Pikmin are available, then a large army of preferably Red Pikmin can be used to defeat the Cannon Beetle in a very short time by swarming it just after it emerges from the ground. If executed properly, the creature won't be able to attack even once.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Its movements are somewhat similar to grounded Blowhogs, as well as their bucking noise.
- 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 Armored Cannon Larva, which shares a green coloration. Red shells, when used, home in on the player in front of you, much like how the Decorated Cannon Beetle, which shares a red coloration, spits out boulders that follow the player.
- Their scientific name (pre-Pikmin 4), Granitus chukkulinae bambinii, means 'Granite-chucking Child'.
- Despite having the blowhole like its adult counterpart, it cannot be clogged while it is inhaling, making it only serve visual purpose.
- There is only one Armored Cannon Larva in the Story Mode of Pikmin 3, protecting a Velvety Dreamdrop on a high set of ledges in Tropical Wilds.
- In Pikmin 4, there is a limit of ten Pikmin that can be crushed per boulder. If more are vulnerable, they will get back up regardless of position relative to the hazard.
- 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.