In both the Forest of Hope and the Distant Spring, there is a beetle that carries a part. To defeat them, get 20 to 30 Red Pikmin and wait until it sucks in air. During that time, fire a Pikmin near it and it should get stuck in the sucker. The outer shell should open, revealing the vulnerable part on its body. Use the C-stick to rush your Pikmim onto the body and they will attack it. Repeat this until it dies. If you need Pikmin, take the beetle back to the Onion.

To defeat the Armored Beetle faster than swarming him, throw a Pikmin into his sucker when he breathes in and throw the Pikmin on top of his soft weak spot. He hould lose one third or more of his life in one of these types of bouts.

To kill the Armored Beetle in The Forest of Hope level, break the wall next to the beetle with 100 Red Pikmin. When he inhales, throw one Pikmin evenly with his nose. This should block it up. Next, run behind him and throw as many Pikmin as you can. Repeat this until it is defeated.

Captain Olimar can blow up the rocks that the Armored Cannon Beetle fires at the Pikmin by using Olimar's punch (press A). This is not effective in the Distant Spring, but in the Forest Of Hope. You can throw the required amount of Pikmin at the part and cover them while blowing the rocks up with Olimar's punch so that none of the Pikmin are hit. This does not affect Olimar's health. Note: You have to time it correctly to avoid missing the rocks and damaging Olimar's health.