The flint beetle family (コガネモチ科?, lit.: "Small riches holder family") is a recurring family of enemies in the Pikmin series. It includes 2 flint beetles that behave drastically different from each other, and the Doodlebug.
Members
Doodlebug
- Main article: Doodlebug.
Scientific name: Pilli flatularum
The Doodlebug is an enemy in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4. Similar to the Iridescent Flint Beetle, this bug hides in a spot underground, and when approached, it unburrows and quickly scatters around. Periodically, it stops in place to rest, providing the player with the opportunity to hit it to obtain a reward, normally a spray drop. After resting, when it darts off to a new location, it leaves a cloud of poisonous gas behind, making White Pikmin the ideal choice for combat.
Iridescent Flint Beetle
- Main article: Iridescent Flint Beetle.
Scientific name: Pilli envelopens
The Iridescent Flint Beetle is an enemy in Pikmin, Pikmin 2, and Pikmin 4. It is harmless and has a tough carapace to defend itself with, making it invulnerable to attacks. It dwells underground in fixed spots, but when approached, it emerges and scuttles around in a panic. Occasionally, it stops and provides an opportunity for the player to throw a Pikmin onto its back, making it flip and release a reward.
Scientific name: Pilli envelopens striaticus
In Pikmin 3, a different subspecies of the Iridescent Flint Beetle appears, distinguished by its carapace's spotted pattern rather than striped. Otherwise, it behaves identically to the original variant.
Stony Flint Beetle
- Main article: Stony Flint Beetle.
Scientific name: Lithelytra sisyphons
The Stony Flint Beetle is an enemy in Hey! Pikmin. It uses its back legs to push rocks and prevent passage through corridors. It is the only flint beetle to possess wings, which it uses to fly away after the Pikmin push the rock into a hole.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
コガネモチ科? Kogane Mochi Ka |
Small riches holder family | |
 Chinese(traditional) |
小富蟲科 | ||
 French |
scarabées scarabidés (Pikmin 4) |
beetles | |
 German |
Psychileges | ||
 Korean |
황금벌레 과 Hwang-Geumbeolle Gwa |
Golden Beetle Family | |
 Portuguese |
Escarabichídeos | Scarabugidae | The name is a portmanteau of "escaravelho" (scarab) and "bicho" (bug) and the suffix "-ídeos" (-idae), which is used for naming animal family names |
 Spanish |
Escarabichuelos | Beetlugs or Scarabugs | The name is a portmanteau of "escarabajo" (beetle/scarab) and "bicho" (bug) It is also the same name as the Glint beetle family |
Trivia
- Prior to the release of Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch), the Doodlebug was mistakenly referred to as belonging to the "Flint bug family" in the English version, even though they were claimed to share the same genus as the Iridescent Flint Beetle. In the Japanese version of Pikmin 2, the Iridescent Flint Beetle and the Doodlebug had always shared the same family.
