Bulbmin
Parasiticus pikminicus
Bulbmin are parasitic Pikmin that have infected Bulborbs and taken control of their host. They can only be found in the sublevels of some caves and always appear as a group of 10 (unless you have 91 or more Pikmin) led by a mature Bulbmin. You need 1-10 free Pikmin slots when you enter the sublevel in order for the mature Bulbmin to have younger ones following it as wild Bulbmin not under your command count towards the 100 Pikmin limit. Bulbmin may be pikmin, but the host needs to be kept alive so the parasitic pikmin becomes cannaballistic and will attack, meaning it won't be 1-10 free bulbmin. When you exterminate the older Bulbmin, the small ones go into a panic, whistling at them then brings them under your command. They are immune to all hazards (fire, water, electricity, and poison; excluding explosions). As good as their abilities may seem, they cannot leave the caves with you, so it would be best to change them if possible. They can be changed into other Pikmin via Candypop Bud species. The only way they could be killed if they are not under your command is if an Armored Cannon Beetle relative flattens them, they are caught in an explosion, or they fall over the side of a level suspended over a pit when shaken by an enemy attack or explosion, etc. The largest population of Bulbmin is found in the Submerged Castle.
When Pikmin are left alone without a captain to command them, their heads glow their colour (for example, Red Pikmin glow red.) When left alone, a Bulbmin's head glows green. This could mean that the parasitic Pikmin inside are green. However, their stems are orange, the tip of the thing that shows you where you're going to throw your Bulbmin is orange, and the trail that Bulbmin leave behind when thrown is orange. These are some possobilities about parasitic pikmin being orange. Another possibility is green parasitic pikmin with orange stems. Another probability is that the parasitic pikmin are actually green, the orange comes from the adolescent bulborb they are in.
Attack: Average
Speed: Slow
Throw: Average
Olimar's Notes
This loathsome creature is in fact a parasitic form of Pikmin that has infected a bulborb. Unlike pikmin that nest in onions, this parasitic relative spends its life inside the body of a host, usually a bulborb. Juveniles fall in line and mimic the actions of their parent until maturing to full independence. By burrowing its rootlike limbs into the nervous system of the host bulborb and infusing it with natural hormonal excretions, the Bulbmin is able to control virtually all of the host's body functions. However, the host's voracious appetite seems impossible to suppress.
Louie's Notes
Grind the meat and season with allspice, salt, and ground white pepper. Press the seasoned meat into satchels, then panfry them with onions. Prior to serving, smother the brats in dijun mustard and sauerkraut. Buns are optional.
How to Kill
Captains
Punch several times and run before it bites or attempts to fend you off by shaking, then begin attacking again.