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The '''Grub-dog family''' contains all the true Bulborb species in the [[Pikmin series|Pikmin games]]. The most famous member of the species is the [[Red Bulborb]]. With the exception of the Dwarf Bulbear all the Dwarf Bulborbs are in fact unrelated and belong to the [[Breadbug (family)|Breadbug family]]. The name may be derived from the fact that they are a species of insect (a grub), or eat insects, and exhibit canine characteristics such as enlarged canine teeth, aggression, and hunting in packs.
{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y|pa=y}}
The '''Grub-Dog family''' ({{j|イヌムシ科|Inu Mushi Ka|bug dog family}}) contains "true" bulborbs, as well as several other species in the {{pg}}. The most well-known member of this family is the [[Bulborb]] (or Red Bulborb in {{p2}}, Spotty Bulborb in {{p1}}).


==Red Bulborb==
[[Bulborb (disambiguation)|Bulborb]]s, [[Bulbear]]s, [[Bulblax]]es, and [[Eye-Stalker Bulbeel|Bulbeels]] are all part of the ''Oculus'' genus. All "true" bulborbs belong to the ''Oculus kageyamii'' species, while bulbears belong to the ''Oculus terribilis'' species. There are still different subspecies for these creatures, unlike bulblaxes and bulbeels. [[Water Dumple]]s and [[Long Water Dumple]]s are part of the ''Ichthyosa'' genus, as they are much different than the creatures listed previously. [[Fiery Dwarf Bulblax]]es belong to the [[Breadbug family]], despite [[mistake]]nly having the ''Oculus'' genus.
{{main|Red Bulborb}}
[[Image:180px-Red_Bulborb_OF.jpg|left|143px]]
Red Bulborbs are the most famous enemy in [[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]] and [[Pikmin 2]], and often symbolize the game. They are nocturnal creatures, thus they sleep for most of the day. Most have a very slow reaction time when attacked. If attacked by a large enough force, they can be overcome before they can counter-attack. It is also true that throwing numerous [[Purple Pikmin]] will work exceedingly well in defeating it without fail. Their mouth is large enough to fit several Pikmin in it, so attack from the behind for best results.
Red Bulborbs are very apathetic. If one is attacked, the other ones won't even wake up at all, not even a signal is given out. These enemies were originally called Spotty Bulborbs, but when other kinds of Bulborbs started showing up, they had to be renamed as Red Bulborbs. These enemies can be still be defeated by your captains, as long as you're careful. The [[Rocket Fist]] may aid you in this greatly.
<div style="clear: both"></div>


==Hairy Bulborb==
This mistake may have been made because in the games, it was previously believed that [[Dwarf Bulborb]]s were undeveloped bulborbs, but it was later discovered that they are a species of their own and actually belong to the breadbug family.
 
In ''Pikmin'', the spots on the backs of grub-dogs pulsate in size, even when the game is paused, but since Dwarf Bulborbs belong to the breadbug family, they do not have this characteristic. Further, the spots on Bulborbs oscillate in size slower than the spots on the other two grub-dog types. In every other ''Pikmin'' game, they stay the same size.
 
== Members ==
 
=== Albino Dwarf Bulborb ===
[[File:Pikmin Garden Albino Dwarf Bulborb render.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Albino Dwarf Bulborb}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii larva (1st molt)''
 
Albino Dwarf Bulborbs are the larval form of Bulborbs which have undergone their first molt and appear in ''Pikmin 4''. They act like normal Dwarf Bulborbs but look a little different with their white to yellow ombré back in place of the normal spotty one. They are nocturnal and only appear at night or in caves as to avoid predation from adult Bulborbs.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Bulborb ===
[[File:Pikmin Garden Bulborb render.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Bulborb}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii russus''
 
The Bulborb is arguably the most well-known enemy in all of the ''Pikmin'' games, and is often just as much a staple for the games as the [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] themselves. It is called the "Spotty Bulborb" in ''Pikmin'' and the "Red Bulborb" in ''Pikmin 2''.
 
Bulborbs, like most types of bulborb, are largely nocturnal creatures and prefer to spend the daytime sleeping. They have a slow reaction time and can be overwhelmed by a large enough squad, but caution should always be taken, as these gluttonous predators can swallow several Pikmin at once. Attacking from behind will usually yield the best results.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Bulborb Larva ===
[[File:Bulborb Larva P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Bulborb Larva}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii larva (pre-molt)/ Oculus bambinii''
 
Bulborb Larvae are seen in ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 4''. These newly-born Bulborbs are born without legs and do not yet have the unique color patterns that the adults display. These tiny creatures have exceptionally low vitality, but are capable of eating Pikmin with incredible speed. In some places, these enemies are continuously born from [[Empress Bulblax]]es and [[dirt-mound]]s.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Dwarf Bulbear ===
[[File:Dwarf Bulbear P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Dwarf Bulbear}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus terribilis dotticum larva (2nd molt)''
 
Like the [[Spotty Bulbear]], the Dwarf Bulbear appears in all four major ''Pikmin'' games. They resemble miniature [[Spotty Bulbear]]s, but unlike Dwarf Bulborbs, are actually juvenile Bulbears. Bulbears in particular are known for hunting along set patrol routes in search for prey, but these immature grub-dogs do not yet have established routes, and thus rely on their parent to guide them towards food.
 
When by themselves, Dwarf Bulbears will behave just like Dwarf Bulborbs, but if an adult Bulbear happens to stroll by, these eager young creatures will bark and immediately fall into line behind the beast.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Dwarf Frosty Bulborb ===
[[File:Dwarf Frosty Bulborb P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Dwarf Frosty Bulborb}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus stomagelus larva (2nd molt)''
 
The Dwarf Frosty Bulborb is an icy variant of the Dwarf Bulborb that appears in ''Pikmin 4''. They resemble Dwarf Bulborbs in appearance, but are blue in coloration and have ice crystal covering their back. If the ice has not been melted, they freeze all Pikmin, except Ice Pikmin, that come in contact with any part of its body. Unlike other Dwarf Bulborbs, they are actually grub-dogs and are the juvenile form of the Frosty Bulborb.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Emperor Bulblax ===
[[File:Pikmin Garden Emperor Bulblax render.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Emperor Bulblax}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus supremus''
 
The Emperor Bulblax is the final boss in the first ''Pikmin'' game. This beast resembles a flabby yellow Bulborb with small red eyes and a large, moss-covered backside. Its attacks include licking the ground with its tongue (with the intent to eat any Pikmin that happen to be there), licking its face (to get rid of offending Pikmin), and jumping high into the air to crush and shake off Pikmin. The safest strategy by far is to have Yellow Pikmin grab nearby [[bomb-rock]]s and have the Bulblax ingest them.
 
The Emperor Bulblax appears again in ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 4'', though this time it is much smaller, much weaker, and much more common: it appears in multiple caves, sometimes twice or three times in the same sublevel. Although it still possesses its signature rock-hard hide, it is significantly less mossy.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Empress Bulblax ===
[[File:Pikmin Garden Empress Bulblax render.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Empress Bulblax}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii matriarchia (hypertrophic, gravid)/ Oculus matriarchia''
 
The Empress Bulblax is a boss-class enemy in ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 4''. It resembles a cross between a Bulborb and a gargantuan termite queen. The Empress Bulblax seems to be vulnerable on all parts of its body, but attacking the head is easily the safest way to go about it. After a while, it will shake off any hostile Pikmin and roll left and right, crushing anything underneath and in the Hole of Heroes, causes boulders to fall from the ceiling. In all ''Pikmin 2'' appearances beside the ''Hole of Beasts'', the Empress continuously gives birth to ravenous [[Bulborb Larva]]e before and during the battle. In ''Pikmin 4'' the Empress Bulblax is once again fought 3 times. Like in ''Pikmin 2'', it will not give birth in the first fight, will in the second fight, and will drop boulders in the third fight. In the third battle, however, Bulborb Larva will fall from the ceiling instead of being birthed by the Bulblax.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Eye-Stalker Bulbeel ===
[[File:Eye-Stalker Bulbeel.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Eye-Stalker Bulbeel}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus voraxa''
 
The Eye-Stalker Bulbeel is an aquatic variant of the Bulborb that appears in ''Hey! Pikmin''. It strongly resembles a purple eel with red fins, light blue stripes on its sides, and a tan belly. Its mouth appears small and puckered when not attacking. They are found emerging from underwater pits.
 
Eye-Stalker Bulbeels attack by lunging directly upwards with their mouth wide open to eat Pikmin, after which they will retreat. They poke their heads out before attacking, giving Olimar a chance to get away. They have high health, and while defeating them is time-consuming, it rewards the player by dropping lots of [[Sparklium]].
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Fiery Bulblax ===
[[File:Fiery Bulblax P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Fiery Bulblax}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus volcanus''
 
The Fiery Bulblax is found in ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 4'', it is a rather odd-looking creature. Its entire body has a melted appearance, and one of its eyes is smaller than the other, possibly an eye tic. This mean-looking creature's skin secretes chemicals which combust upon exposure to oxygen, setting its body aflame. Only [[Red Pikmin]] can withstand the blaze this creature's body produces. However, if lured into water, the flames can be extinguished, making it a prime target for [[Blue Pikmin]].
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Frosty Bulborb ===
[[File:Frosty Bulborb P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Frosty Bulborb}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus stomagelus''
 
The Frosty Bulborb is an icy variant of the Bulborb that appears in ''Pikmin 4''. They resemble normal Bulborbs in appearance, but are blue in coloration and have an ice crystal covering their back. If the ice has not been melted, they freeze all Pikmin, except Ice Pikmin, that come in contact with any part of its body. They are the adult form of the Dwarf Frosty Bulborb.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Hairy Bulborb===
[[File:Hairy Bulborb P2S icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Hairy Bulborb}}
{{main|Hairy Bulborb}}
[[Image:Hairybulborb.jpg|left|148px]]
Hairy Bulborbs are enemies in the Pikmin 2 game. They resemble Red Bulborbs, but their backsides are white; with ''blue'' spots, and possess a lot of plumage. They are similar to most other mature Bulborbs, but they live in a cold environment. They are slightly more aggressive than the [[Red Bulborb]] with more health, but are still easy to beat with [[Defeating mature Bulborbs|this tactic]].
because of the cold environment that they live in, they have adapted by growing long furry hairs on their backs. When frightened they will lose all their hair before attacking.
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==Orange Bulborb==
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii folliculus''
 
Hairy Bulborbs are enemies exclusive to ''Pikmin 2''. A Bulborb variant which shares many traits with the [[Bulborb]], Hairy Bulborbs are mostly white, with a brown nose and blue spots. The most notable characteristic of this particular subspecies is a plume of fluffy white hair on the creature's back, which insulates its body as an adaption to a colder habitat, and it falls off in battle.
 
Hairy Bulborbs behave similarly to Bulborbs, but are slightly more aggressive and more resilient to attack. They can still be overpowered with a large army of Pikmin.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Jumbo Bulborb ===
[[File:Pikmin Garden Jumbo Bulborb render.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Jumbo Bulborb}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii russus (polypoid)''
 
Jumbo Bulborbs are abnormal Bulborbs that appear in ''Pikmin 4''. They are more aggressive and larger than normal Bulborbs due to a chromosomal irregularity during the Bulborbs early life. Unlike other Bulborbs, Jumbo Bulborbs are not found sleeping and may hide in vegetation to ambush unsuspecting prey.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Long Water Dumple ===
[[File:Long Water Dumple Creature Log.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Long Water Dumple}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Ichthyosa felongus''
 
The Long Water Dumple is the boss of sector 2 in ''Hey! Pikmin''. It is an elongated, eel-like variant of the [[Water Dumple]], with bright yellow spots, a pink mouth lined with sharp teeth, and hair-like follicles on its head. They have two eye-stalks with glowing orbs on the end that act as its eyes, similar to Bulborbs.
 
It attacks by quickly lunging at Olimar from the side of the screen, eating any Pikmin in its way, after which it is vulnerable for attack. In-between these attacks, it can be seen swimming in the background. It can also attack by ramming into a wall in the background which causes large chunks of rock to fall, or it can spit round rocks at Olimar. It drops the [[Unexamined Nest]] after being defeated.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Orange Bulborb ===
[[File:Orange Bulborb P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Orange Bulborb}}
{{main|Orange Bulborb}}
[[Image:Orangebulborb.jpg|left|164px]]
The Orange Bulborb is an enemy in [[Pikmin 2]]. It has a general Bulborb appearance, but has black skin, yellow bloodshot eyes, and its backside is orange with black spots. It has the same strategy that all Bulborbs use for attacking, however it is just that it is a unique Bulborb species that is woken up more easily, making it difficult to defeat with the traditional Bulborb-defeating tactics. It is otherwise the same as the other Bulborbs. They may be found in many places such as the [[Bulblax Kingdom]], or on land in the [[Wistful Wild]]. Usually when there is one of these around, it is almost sure that there may be many [[Dwarf Orange Bulborb|Dwarf Orange Bulborbs]] around.
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==Dwarf Bulbear==
Scientific Name: ''Oculus kageyamii orangium''
{{main|Dwarf Bulbear}}
 
[[Image:08dwarfbulbear.png|left|173px]]
The Orange Bulborb is an enemy in ''Pikmin 2'', ''Pikmin 3'', and ''Pikmin 4''. Its appearance closely resembles that of other Bulborbs, but this particular variant sports an orange rump with black spots and a black face. Its yellow, bloodshot eyes are an indicator of this dangerous creature's vicious temperament.
Dwarf Bulbears, like the Spotty Bulbear, is an enemy in both Pikmin games. Like the Dwarf Bulborbs, it is the small form of other Bulborbs, however, this is a '''real''' Bulborb because it does not use mimicry unlike like the [[Dwarf Red Bulborb]], the [[Dwarf Orange Bulborb]], and the [[Snow Bulborb]]. This is the juvenile stage of the Spotty Bulbear, and when one approaches, it will follow it around because it needs help hunting food. This may hinder you when you attack their parent. You will usually only find them in places where Spotty Bulbears can be.
 
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As with other Bulborbs, this animal is usually found snoozing. It does not have any particular resistances or special attacks, and can't stuff any more Pikmin into its mouth than its relatives, but should still be approached with caution: Orange Bulborbs are especially easy to wake from a nap, and can often be extremely difficult to defeat without losing any Pikmin, even when using traditional Bulborb-fighting tactics.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Sovereign Bulblax ===
[[File:Pikmin Garden Sovereign Bulblax render.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Sovereign Bulblax}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus supremus (advanced age)''
 
The Sovereign Bulblax is a large enemy that appears in ''Pikmin 4''. It is an advanced age Emperor Bulblax, with the difference being its size and the amount of vegetation and rocks on its back. It has a more potent jump than the standard Emperor Bulblax, and has significantly  higher health as well.
{{clear}}


==Spotty Bulbear==
=== Spotty Bulbear ===
[[File:Spotty Bulbear P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Spotty Bulbear}}
{{main|Spotty Bulbear}}
[[Image:07spottybulbear.png|left|200px]]
Spotty Bulbears are creatures in both Pikmin games that resemble Red Bulborbs with different looking mouths. They are black with red spots, different from Red Bulborbs, who are red with white spots. The large mouth allows it to eat more Pikmin. Sometimes, a Spotty Bulbear might be followed by numerous Dwarf Bulbears. They follow this parent/guardian since they are juveniles and they obviously would need help finding nourishment. This creature also has the ability to move literally anywhere in the field/cave that you are in, they may even enter the vicinity of your base. It is best to try using sprays, or using the simple Bulborb killing strategy (purple Pikmin) to defeat them. The juveniles may also hinder you when you ambush the Bulbear so be cautious. If you do defeat the creature, and its body is still there, it will try to revitalize itself. After what may be minutes, it may come back to conciousness, and you will have to go to the menial task of beating it again, so try to put it in an [[Onion]]/the Ship's [[Research Pod|pod]] if you can. The only on-land area where they are found is the [[Perplexing Pool]]. ([[Pikmin 2]])
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==Fiery Bulblax==
Scientific Name: ''Oculus terribilus dotticum''
{{main|Fiery Bulblax}}
[[Image:10fierybulblax.png|left|200px]]
Fiery Bulblaxes are rather odd, grotesque looking creatures. Their body parts appear to be melting away from its body's intense heat waves, and more strangely, one of their eyes is smaller than the other, possibly an eye tic. Its fiery aura is caused by the glands and oils on this creature's body that result in a chemical reaction, which causes fire to ignite on its hide. Only [[Red Pikmin]] can withstand the blaze of this creature's body. However, if lured to water, the flame will go out, making it a prime target for [[Blue Pikmin]], it would be wise if doing so that you would want to use a [[spray]] to avoid losing any Pikmin since this grub-dog is more aggressive. Another good, but risky, spray conserving way to kill them is either kill them manually, or use this [[Defeating Fiery Bulblaxes|strategy]]. You should get better at it if you practice. This is useful for the [[Cavern of Chaos|Cavern of Chaos's]] Sublevel 2 since there are three of them in there.
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==Emperor Bulblax==
Spotty Bulbears are creatures in all four main ''Pikmin'' games which resemble Bulborbs in appearance but are not identical. They are a bit shorter, with rounded snouts, large chapped lips, and a wide mouth which allows them to gobble more Pikmin per bite. From a distance, they are easily distinguishable by their tan faces and black bodies with red spots. Often, a Spotty Bulbear is followed by a group of [[Dwarf Bulbear]]s.
{{main|Emperor Bulblax}}
[[Image:Emperorbulblax.jpg|left|173px]]
The Emperor Bulblax was the final boss in the first Pikmin game. He lies dormant in his arena at [[The Final Trial]] stage until something approached, at which he will wake up and start attacking. He resembles a flabby Bulborb with small red eyes and an incredibly mossy shell, which is the only visible part of him when he sleeps, and it is also invulnerable to attacks. His attacks include licking the ground with his tongue (with the purpose to eat any Pikmin that happen to be there), licking his face (to get rid of offending Pikmin), and jumping high into the air to crush and shake off Pikmin. The best strategy to beating him is to have yellow Pikmin grab any nearby [[bomb-rocks]], and let him eat the bomb-rocks after calling the yellow pikmin away from the beast (Calling the pikmin off the bomb-rocks seems to cause a longer stun). He will be stunned by the explosion (the more bomb-rocks, the longer the stun), which will be a good time to toss as many Pikmin as possible onto his face. Doing this repeatedly will beat him easily.
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==Empress Bulblax==
These beasts sleep most of the time in {{p1}}, but are noticeably tougher than Spotty Bulborbs, making them formidable opponents. In {{p2}}, they are wide-awake during daytime hours, making a sneak attack nearly impossible. They actively patrol the map and can even [[Health#Revival|revive from death]]; in any sublevel or area where a Spotty Bulbear is present, they are a top priority target.
{{main|Empress Bulblax}}
[[Image:Empressblublax.jpg|left|188px]]
The Empress Bulblax is a boss-class enemy in the Pikmin games. It resembles the head of a Red Bulborb stuck onto a monstrous, elongated backside that is a type of egg sac. It can't eat the Pikmin due to its size, which makes its head hang a good few feet above the ground (To Olimar. To us it would be 1cm.). The only way to defeat it is to throw Pikmin at its face, but attacking on its sides is more effective, yet more dangerous. After a while, it will shake the Pikmin off and roll left and right in an attempt to crush them, usually making rocks fall in the process. It is one of the few bosses that can vary depending on where you encounter it, since later dungeons have the Empress continuously giving birth to Bulborb Larvae out of its backside. They can get killed by the Empress' rolling, so they aren't a problem when the actual face-to-face fight starts. This enemy can only be [[Ultra-bitter spray|petrified]] if you release the spray on the middle of this monster's elongated torso.
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==Bulborb Larva==
{{clear}}
{{main|Bulborb Larva}}
[[Image:09bulborblarva.png|left|197px]]
Bulborb Larvae are enemies in the Pikmin 2 game. They are the true juvenile Bulborbs, from the discovery that Dwarf Bulborb are a completely different species. They are hard to beat in swarms, but have low health. It would be best if you kill them with your pilots, as they eat Pikmin with incredible speed. They are continuously produced from Empress Bulblaxes in the game located on Sublevel 8 of the [[Frontier Cavern]], Sublevel 11 of the [[Hole of Heroes]], and Sublevel 4 of the [[Emperor's Realm]] in [[Challenge Mode]]. Only a certain amount can be produced, though a great sum to comprehend, and if you destroy enough of them, the Empress Bulblax may wake up and start producing again. They are completely irrelevant, as they burst into a slimy substance upon being defeated, though they may release [[nectar]] for your Pikmin.
<div style="clear: both"></div>


==Water Dumple==
=== Water Dumple ===
[[File:Water Dumple P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Water Dumple}}
{{main|Water Dumple}}
[[Image:11waterdumple.png|left|191px]]
Water Dumples are enemies in both Pikmin games. These enemies are in the Grub-dog family, and act similar to Bulborbs. They are most commonly found in the water, but can survive on the land as well. They resemble blue shellfish with relatively large mouths. They are defeated somewhat easily as long as you take caution and swarm them. Just like Bulborbs, [[Purple Pikmin]] will work well if you can find this creature on land. This creature can be defeated easily by captains, as it has low health, the [[Rocket Fist]] will do impressive damage on its last punch.
<div style="clear: both"></div>


[[Category:Grub-dogs| ]]
Scientific Name: ''Ichthyosa felinis''
 
Water Dumples are enemies in all four main ''Pikmin'' games. They are part of the grub-dog family, despite having different appearances for aquatic habitation, and also having similar eating habits. They are most commonly found in the water, but can survive on the land as well. Depending on the game, they are either colored blue or purple, and resemble shellfish with large mouths. Water Dumples are defeated somewhat easily as long as the player takes caution or [[swarm]]s them.
 
{{clear}}
 
=== Whiptongue Bulborb ===
[[File:Whiptongue Bulborb P4 icon.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Whiptongue Bulborb}}
 
Scientific Name: ''Oculus longolingua''
 
The Whiptongue Bulborb is an enemy in ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4''. They feature the characteristic rounded body and bulbous stalk-eyes, but they are different from their many terrestrial cousins in that they have a long, anteater-like snout instead of a large maw. It lashes its tongue out violently to ensnare Pikmin, then pulls them in and does a very brief animation of licking its chops and swallowing. The long tongue effectively gives the creature a ranged attack, which can make it a difficult foe to defeat.
 
{{clear}}
 
==In ''Pikmin Adventure''==
The following enemies exist in {{pa}}, and are said in-game to belong to the grub-dog family. They are, however, not [[canon]].
 
===Bilious Bulborb===
[[File:Bilious Bulborb NL.png|left|150px]]
''Official family unknown''
{{main|Bilious Bulborb}}
 
The Bilious Bulborb appears only in {{pa}}. It is the most dangerous non-boss [[Pikmin Adventure enemies#Bulborb|Bulborb]] variant found throughout the attraction, and is the fifth mini-boss the player fights. Its eyes and color resembles that of the Orange Bulborb.
{{clear}}
 
===Bulblord===
[[File:Bulblord NL.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Bulblord}}
 
The Bulblord is the first boss in ''Pikmin Adventure''. It is a huge Bulborb that can charge towards  the player and their Pikmin and also [[crush]] them by rolling over. It looks very similar to the Bulborb, except with even more weak points around its body.
{{clear}}
 
===Grand Bulblord===
[[File:Grand Bulblord NL.png|left|150px]]
{{main|Grand Bulblord}}
 
The Grand Bulblord is a boss found only in ''Pikmin Adventure'''s Extra Challenges. It is very similar to the Bulblord, also being a large robotic Bulborb with weak spots around it. However, it is green and has more menacing green eyes. It also attacks significantly faster, and can even spawn enemies like the Bulborbs found throughout the attraction.
 
{{clear}}
 
===Green Bulborb===
[[File:Green Bulborb PA.png|left|150px]]
''Official family unknown''
{{main|Green Bulborb}}
 
The Green Bulborb appears only in ''Pikmin Adventure''. It is the rarest color variant of the Bulborb. It can only attack using a homing charge at the player. It usually appears in enclosed areas, requiring the player to manually break them out, or in dark areas, requiring the player to use the nearby [[Common Glowcap#Pikmin Adventure|Glowing Mushroom]] to upgrade their light source.
{{clear}}
 
===Yellow Bulborb===
[[File:Yellow Bulborb NL.png|left|150px]]
''Official family unknown''
{{main|Yellow Bulborb}}
 
The Yellow Bulborb appears only in ''Pikmin Adventure''. It is an uncommon color variant of the Bulborb. It can only attack by shooting projectiles and eating players. It usually appears in open areas allowing players to take it out without much effort.
{{clear}}
 
==Naming==
"Grub-dog" is a combination of {{w|grub}}, a worm insect, and {{w|dog}}. According to the [[Pikmin Garden]] website, this is due to their resemblance to space dogs. Moreover, the word "Bulborb" is derived from the name of [[Captain Olimar]]'s pet space dog [[Minor characters#Bulbie|Bulbie]]. Most members of this family have the word "Bulborb" in their name, which is likely a combination of "bulb" and "orb", referring to their large, round eyes and bulbous body. The Japanese popular name for "Bulborb" is {{j|チャッピー|Chappī|Chappy|f=tp}} and the Japanese name is {{j|デメマダラ|Deme Madara}} which, according to the {{ssbb}} trophy for the [[Bulborb]] translates to "Spotted Bug-eye".{{cite quote|{{Notes:Bulborb/ssbb}}|[[Bulborb]] trophy|{{ssbb}}}}
 
The genus most Bulborbs belong to is ''Oculus'', which is Latin for "eye", and the species name of most of them is ''kageyamii'', which is most likely taken from Daisuke Kageyama, one of the developers credited for creature design.
 
===Names in other languages===
{{foreignname
|Jap  = イヌムシ科
|JapR = Inu mushi ka
|JapM = Dog bug family
|JapN =
|ChiSimp  = 犬虫科
|ChiSimpN =
|ChiSimpM = Dog bug family
|ChiTrad  = 犬蟲科
|ChiTradN =
|ChiTradM = Dog bug family
|Dut  = Grubrakkers
|DutM = Grub rascals
|DutN =
|Fra  = Canidés Fouisseurs
|FraM = Excavating canids
|FraN = From ''"Fouisseurs"'' (digging, excavating) and ''"Canidés"'' (canids). "Fouisseur" is a synonyme of "Creuser" (dig), and "Canidés" (Canidae) refers to canines.
|Ger  = Glubschkäfer
|GerM = Ogleetles
|GerN = The name is a portmanteau of ''"glubschen"'' (to ogle) and ''"käfer"'' (beetles)
|Ita  = Coletidi
|ItaM = Possibly from ''coleottero'' (coleoptera) and ''boleto'' (boletus, a genus of mushroom)
|ItaN =
|Kor  = 강아지벌레 과
|KorM = Puppy bug family
|KorN =
|Spa  = Gusarapérridos
|SpaM = Grudogidae
|SpaN = The name is a portmanteau of ''"gusano"'' (worm) , ''"perro"'' (dog) and the suffix "''-idos''" ({{w|Family_(biology)#Nomenclature|-idae}}), which is used for naming animal family names
|Por  = Insecanídeos
|PorM = Insecanidae
|PorN = The name is a portmanteau of ''"inseto"'' (insect) and ''"canídeos"'' ({{w|Canidae}})<br> The suffix "''-ídeos''" ({{w|Family_(biology)#Nomenclature|-idae}}) is used for naming animal family names
|notes = y
}}
 
{{clear}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Grubdog4.jpg|A large variety of Grub-dogs as seen in ''Pikmin 4''.
</gallery>
 
==See also==
*[[Breadbug family]]
 
==References==
{{refs}}
 
{{families}}
[[Category:Grub-dog family| ]]

Latest revision as of 09:46, December 13, 2024

The Grub-Dog family (イヌムシ科?, lit.: "bug dog family") contains "true" bulborbs, as well as several other species in the Pikmin games. The most well-known member of this family is the Bulborb (or Red Bulborb in Pikmin 2, Spotty Bulborb in Pikmin).

Bulborbs, Bulbears, Bulblaxes, and Bulbeels are all part of the Oculus genus. All "true" bulborbs belong to the Oculus kageyamii species, while bulbears belong to the Oculus terribilis species. There are still different subspecies for these creatures, unlike bulblaxes and bulbeels. Water Dumples and Long Water Dumples are part of the Ichthyosa genus, as they are much different than the creatures listed previously. Fiery Dwarf Bulblaxes belong to the Breadbug family, despite mistakenly having the Oculus genus.

This mistake may have been made because in the games, it was previously believed that Dwarf Bulborbs were undeveloped bulborbs, but it was later discovered that they are a species of their own and actually belong to the breadbug family.

In Pikmin, the spots on the backs of grub-dogs pulsate in size, even when the game is paused, but since Dwarf Bulborbs belong to the breadbug family, they do not have this characteristic. Further, the spots on Bulborbs oscillate in size slower than the spots on the other two grub-dog types. In every other Pikmin game, they stay the same size.

Members[edit]

Albino Dwarf Bulborb[edit]

A render of an Albino Dwarf Bulborb from Pikmin 4.
Main article: Albino Dwarf Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii larva (1st molt)

Albino Dwarf Bulborbs are the larval form of Bulborbs which have undergone their first molt and appear in Pikmin 4. They act like normal Dwarf Bulborbs but look a little different with their white to yellow ombré back in place of the normal spotty one. They are nocturnal and only appear at night or in caves as to avoid predation from adult Bulborbs.

Bulborb[edit]

A render of a Bulborb from Pikmin 4.
Main article: Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii russus

The Bulborb is arguably the most well-known enemy in all of the Pikmin games, and is often just as much a staple for the games as the Pikmin themselves. It is called the "Spotty Bulborb" in Pikmin and the "Red Bulborb" in Pikmin 2.

Bulborbs, like most types of bulborb, are largely nocturnal creatures and prefer to spend the daytime sleeping. They have a slow reaction time and can be overwhelmed by a large enough squad, but caution should always be taken, as these gluttonous predators can swallow several Pikmin at once. Attacking from behind will usually yield the best results.

Bulborb Larva[edit]

Icon for the Bulborb Larva, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Bulborb Larva.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii larva (pre-molt)/ Oculus bambinii

Bulborb Larvae are seen in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4. These newly-born Bulborbs are born without legs and do not yet have the unique color patterns that the adults display. These tiny creatures have exceptionally low vitality, but are capable of eating Pikmin with incredible speed. In some places, these enemies are continuously born from Empress Bulblaxes and dirt-mounds.

Dwarf Bulbear[edit]

Icon for the Dwarf Bulbear, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Dwarf Bulbear.

Scientific Name: Oculus terribilis dotticum larva (2nd molt)

Like the Spotty Bulbear, the Dwarf Bulbear appears in all four major Pikmin games. They resemble miniature Spotty Bulbears, but unlike Dwarf Bulborbs, are actually juvenile Bulbears. Bulbears in particular are known for hunting along set patrol routes in search for prey, but these immature grub-dogs do not yet have established routes, and thus rely on their parent to guide them towards food.

When by themselves, Dwarf Bulbears will behave just like Dwarf Bulborbs, but if an adult Bulbear happens to stroll by, these eager young creatures will bark and immediately fall into line behind the beast.

Dwarf Frosty Bulborb[edit]

Icon for the Dwarf Frosty Bulborb, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Dwarf Frosty Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus stomagelus larva (2nd molt)

The Dwarf Frosty Bulborb is an icy variant of the Dwarf Bulborb that appears in Pikmin 4. They resemble Dwarf Bulborbs in appearance, but are blue in coloration and have ice crystal covering their back. If the ice has not been melted, they freeze all Pikmin, except Ice Pikmin, that come in contact with any part of its body. Unlike other Dwarf Bulborbs, they are actually grub-dogs and are the juvenile form of the Frosty Bulborb.

Emperor Bulblax[edit]

A render of an Emperor Bulblax from Pikmin 4.
Main article: Emperor Bulblax.

Scientific Name: Oculus supremus

The Emperor Bulblax is the final boss in the first Pikmin game. This beast resembles a flabby yellow Bulborb with small red eyes and a large, moss-covered backside. Its attacks include licking the ground with its tongue (with the intent to eat any Pikmin that happen to be there), licking its face (to get rid of offending Pikmin), and jumping high into the air to crush and shake off Pikmin. The safest strategy by far is to have Yellow Pikmin grab nearby bomb-rocks and have the Bulblax ingest them.

The Emperor Bulblax appears again in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4, though this time it is much smaller, much weaker, and much more common: it appears in multiple caves, sometimes twice or three times in the same sublevel. Although it still possesses its signature rock-hard hide, it is significantly less mossy.

Empress Bulblax[edit]

A render of the Empress Bulblax from Pikmin 4.
Main article: Empress Bulblax.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii matriarchia (hypertrophic, gravid)/ Oculus matriarchia

The Empress Bulblax is a boss-class enemy in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4. It resembles a cross between a Bulborb and a gargantuan termite queen. The Empress Bulblax seems to be vulnerable on all parts of its body, but attacking the head is easily the safest way to go about it. After a while, it will shake off any hostile Pikmin and roll left and right, crushing anything underneath and in the Hole of Heroes, causes boulders to fall from the ceiling. In all Pikmin 2 appearances beside the Hole of Beasts, the Empress continuously gives birth to ravenous Bulborb Larvae before and during the battle. In Pikmin 4 the Empress Bulblax is once again fought 3 times. Like in Pikmin 2, it will not give birth in the first fight, will in the second fight, and will drop boulders in the third fight. In the third battle, however, Bulborb Larva will fall from the ceiling instead of being birthed by the Bulblax.

Eye-Stalker Bulbeel[edit]

An Eye-Stalker Bulbeel.
Main article: Eye-Stalker Bulbeel.

Scientific Name: Oculus voraxa

The Eye-Stalker Bulbeel is an aquatic variant of the Bulborb that appears in Hey! Pikmin. It strongly resembles a purple eel with red fins, light blue stripes on its sides, and a tan belly. Its mouth appears small and puckered when not attacking. They are found emerging from underwater pits.

Eye-Stalker Bulbeels attack by lunging directly upwards with their mouth wide open to eat Pikmin, after which they will retreat. They poke their heads out before attacking, giving Olimar a chance to get away. They have high health, and while defeating them is time-consuming, it rewards the player by dropping lots of Sparklium.

Fiery Bulblax[edit]

Icon for the Fiery Bulblax, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Fiery Bulblax.

Scientific Name: Oculus volcanus

The Fiery Bulblax is found in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4, it is a rather odd-looking creature. Its entire body has a melted appearance, and one of its eyes is smaller than the other, possibly an eye tic. This mean-looking creature's skin secretes chemicals which combust upon exposure to oxygen, setting its body aflame. Only Red Pikmin can withstand the blaze this creature's body produces. However, if lured into water, the flames can be extinguished, making it a prime target for Blue Pikmin.

Frosty Bulborb[edit]

Icon for the Frosty Bulborb, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Frosty Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus stomagelus

The Frosty Bulborb is an icy variant of the Bulborb that appears in Pikmin 4. They resemble normal Bulborbs in appearance, but are blue in coloration and have an ice crystal covering their back. If the ice has not been melted, they freeze all Pikmin, except Ice Pikmin, that come in contact with any part of its body. They are the adult form of the Dwarf Frosty Bulborb.

Hairy Bulborb[edit]

The Piklopedia icon for the Hairy Bulborb in the Nintendo Switch version of Pikmin 2.
Main article: Hairy Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii folliculus

Hairy Bulborbs are enemies exclusive to Pikmin 2. A Bulborb variant which shares many traits with the Bulborb, Hairy Bulborbs are mostly white, with a brown nose and blue spots. The most notable characteristic of this particular subspecies is a plume of fluffy white hair on the creature's back, which insulates its body as an adaption to a colder habitat, and it falls off in battle.

Hairy Bulborbs behave similarly to Bulborbs, but are slightly more aggressive and more resilient to attack. They can still be overpowered with a large army of Pikmin.

Jumbo Bulborb[edit]

Render of a Jumbo Bulborb from the Pikmin Garden website.
Main article: Jumbo Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii russus (polypoid)

Jumbo Bulborbs are abnormal Bulborbs that appear in Pikmin 4. They are more aggressive and larger than normal Bulborbs due to a chromosomal irregularity during the Bulborbs early life. Unlike other Bulborbs, Jumbo Bulborbs are not found sleeping and may hide in vegetation to ambush unsuspecting prey.

Long Water Dumple[edit]

A Long Water Dumple in the Creature Log. Enhanced with Citra.
Main article: Long Water Dumple.

Scientific Name: Ichthyosa felongus

The Long Water Dumple is the boss of sector 2 in Hey! Pikmin. It is an elongated, eel-like variant of the Water Dumple, with bright yellow spots, a pink mouth lined with sharp teeth, and hair-like follicles on its head. They have two eye-stalks with glowing orbs on the end that act as its eyes, similar to Bulborbs.

It attacks by quickly lunging at Olimar from the side of the screen, eating any Pikmin in its way, after which it is vulnerable for attack. In-between these attacks, it can be seen swimming in the background. It can also attack by ramming into a wall in the background which causes large chunks of rock to fall, or it can spit round rocks at Olimar. It drops the Unexamined Nest after being defeated.

Orange Bulborb[edit]

Icon for the Orange Bulborb, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Orange Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus kageyamii orangium

The Orange Bulborb is an enemy in Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3, and Pikmin 4. Its appearance closely resembles that of other Bulborbs, but this particular variant sports an orange rump with black spots and a black face. Its yellow, bloodshot eyes are an indicator of this dangerous creature's vicious temperament.

As with other Bulborbs, this animal is usually found snoozing. It does not have any particular resistances or special attacks, and can't stuff any more Pikmin into its mouth than its relatives, but should still be approached with caution: Orange Bulborbs are especially easy to wake from a nap, and can often be extremely difficult to defeat without losing any Pikmin, even when using traditional Bulborb-fighting tactics.

Sovereign Bulblax[edit]

Render of a Sovereign Bulblax from the Pikmin Garden website.
Main article: Sovereign Bulblax.

Scientific Name: Oculus supremus (advanced age)

The Sovereign Bulblax is a large enemy that appears in Pikmin 4. It is an advanced age Emperor Bulblax, with the difference being its size and the amount of vegetation and rocks on its back. It has a more potent jump than the standard Emperor Bulblax, and has significantly higher health as well.

Spotty Bulbear[edit]

Icon for the Spotty Bulbear, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Spotty Bulbear.

Scientific Name: Oculus terribilus dotticum

Spotty Bulbears are creatures in all four main Pikmin games which resemble Bulborbs in appearance but are not identical. They are a bit shorter, with rounded snouts, large chapped lips, and a wide mouth which allows them to gobble more Pikmin per bite. From a distance, they are easily distinguishable by their tan faces and black bodies with red spots. Often, a Spotty Bulbear is followed by a group of Dwarf Bulbears.

These beasts sleep most of the time in Pikmin, but are noticeably tougher than Spotty Bulborbs, making them formidable opponents. In Pikmin 2, they are wide-awake during daytime hours, making a sneak attack nearly impossible. They actively patrol the map and can even revive from death; in any sublevel or area where a Spotty Bulbear is present, they are a top priority target.

Water Dumple[edit]

Icon for the Water Dumple, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Water Dumple.

Scientific Name: Ichthyosa felinis

Water Dumples are enemies in all four main Pikmin games. They are part of the grub-dog family, despite having different appearances for aquatic habitation, and also having similar eating habits. They are most commonly found in the water, but can survive on the land as well. Depending on the game, they are either colored blue or purple, and resemble shellfish with large mouths. Water Dumples are defeated somewhat easily as long as the player takes caution or swarms them.

Whiptongue Bulborb[edit]

Icon for the Whiptongue Bulborb, from Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.
Main article: Whiptongue Bulborb.

Scientific Name: Oculus longolingua

The Whiptongue Bulborb is an enemy in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4. They feature the characteristic rounded body and bulbous stalk-eyes, but they are different from their many terrestrial cousins in that they have a long, anteater-like snout instead of a large maw. It lashes its tongue out violently to ensnare Pikmin, then pulls them in and does a very brief animation of licking its chops and swallowing. The long tongue effectively gives the creature a ranged attack, which can make it a difficult foe to defeat.

In Pikmin Adventure[edit]

The following enemies exist in Pikmin Adventure, and are said in-game to belong to the grub-dog family. They are, however, not canon.

Bilious Bulborb[edit]

A Bilious Bulborb statue in the Nintendo Land plaza.

Official family unknown

Main article: Bilious Bulborb.

The Bilious Bulborb appears only in Pikmin Adventure. It is the most dangerous non-boss Bulborb variant found throughout the attraction, and is the fifth mini-boss the player fights. Its eyes and color resembles that of the Orange Bulborb.

Bulblord[edit]

Screenshot of Bulblord.
Main article: Bulblord.

The Bulblord is the first boss in Pikmin Adventure. It is a huge Bulborb that can charge towards the player and their Pikmin and also crush them by rolling over. It looks very similar to the Bulborb, except with even more weak points around its body.

Grand Bulblord[edit]

The Grand Bulblord.
Main article: Grand Bulblord.

The Grand Bulblord is a boss found only in Pikmin Adventure's Extra Challenges. It is very similar to the Bulblord, also being a large robotic Bulborb with weak spots around it. However, it is green and has more menacing green eyes. It also attacks significantly faster, and can even spawn enemies like the Bulborbs found throughout the attraction.

Green Bulborb[edit]

A Green Bulborb from Pikmin Adventure.

Official family unknown

Main article: Green Bulborb.

The Green Bulborb appears only in Pikmin Adventure. It is the rarest color variant of the Bulborb. It can only attack using a homing charge at the player. It usually appears in enclosed areas, requiring the player to manually break them out, or in dark areas, requiring the player to use the nearby Glowing Mushroom to upgrade their light source.

Yellow Bulborb[edit]

A Yellow Bulborb in Pikmin Adventure.

Official family unknown

Main article: Yellow Bulborb.

The Yellow Bulborb appears only in Pikmin Adventure. It is an uncommon color variant of the Bulborb. It can only attack by shooting projectiles and eating players. It usually appears in open areas allowing players to take it out without much effort.

Naming[edit]

"Grub-dog" is a combination of grub, a worm insect, and dog. According to the Pikmin Garden website, this is due to their resemblance to space dogs. Moreover, the word "Bulborb" is derived from the name of Captain Olimar's pet space dog Bulbie. Most members of this family have the word "Bulborb" in their name, which is likely a combination of "bulb" and "orb", referring to their large, round eyes and bulbous body. The Japanese popular name for "Bulborb" is チャッピー? (lit.: "Chappy") and the Japanese name is デメマダラ? which, according to the Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophy for the Bulborb translates to "Spotted Bug-eye".[1]

The genus most Bulborbs belong to is Oculus, which is Latin for "eye", and the species name of most of them is kageyamii, which is most likely taken from Daisuke Kageyama, one of the developers credited for creature design.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Flag of Japan Japanese イヌムシ科?
Inu mushi ka
Dog bug family
Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese
(traditional)
犬蟲科 Dog bug family
Flag of China Chinese
(simplified)
犬虫科 Dog bug family
Flag of the Netherlands Dutch Grubrakkers Grub rascals
Flag of France French Canidés Fouisseurs Excavating canids From "Fouisseurs" (digging, excavating) and "Canidés" (canids). "Fouisseur" is a synonyme of "Creuser" (dig), and "Canidés" (Canidae) refers to canines.
Flag of Germany German Glubschkäfer Ogleetles The name is a portmanteau of "glubschen" (to ogle) and "käfer" (beetles)
Flag of Italy Italian Coletidi Possibly from coleottero (coleoptera) and boleto (boletus, a genus of mushroom)
Flag of South Korea Korean 강아지벌레 과 Puppy bug family
Flag of Brazil Portuguese Insecanídeos Insecanidae The name is a portmanteau of "inseto" (insect) and "canídeos" (Canidae)
The suffix "-ídeos" (-idae) is used for naming animal family names
Flag of Spain Spanish Gusarapérridos Grudogidae The name is a portmanteau of "gusano" (worm) , "perro" (dog) and the suffix "-idos" (-idae), which is used for naming animal family names

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ A creature whose Japanese name translates as "spotted crimson bug-eye." These bulky nocturnal animals have white-and-red-flecked rumps that resemble strawberries. Red bulborbs sleep in the day and wake in the evening to feed on small animals. Several colors of bulborb subspecies have been discovered—their classification is a hot subject for scholars. :GameCube Pikmin 2Bulborb trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl