Volbeat is a firefly-like, bipedal Pokémon. Its body is black with a blue chest and abdomen. There are two yellow stripes across its front: one on its chest and one near its legs. A red band separates each limb from its body and a thicker, incomplete one surrounds its shoulders. Two simple wings extend from the band around its shoulder. It has a blue face with yellow eyes, and curly, yellow antennae with black stripes. It has a spherical yellow tail, which glows to communicate and draw geometric patterns in the sky while in a swarm. Additionally, the glow allows it to use its former signature moves, Tail Glow and Signal Beam. This is a male only species; Illumise is its female counterpart. Volbeat is attracted by the sweet aroma given off by Illumise. It lives in forests near clean ponds, but will move if the pond becomes dirty.
In the anime
Volbeat in the anime
Major appearances
Volbeat's first appearance was in the Camp Pikachu special that was part of the Pokémon Heroes movie. He served as a sort of camp counselor and guide.
A Volbeat appeared in Time-Warp Heals All Wounds. Edna mentioned how Volbeat and Illumise used to do their mating dance in a large tree that used to be located in the middle of the city.
Minor appearances
Volbeat also appeared in Zoroark: Master of Illusions as a few of the many local Pokémon who lives in Crown City. A Volbeat worked with several other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua at the park to attack him, angry at Zorua for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight broke out, the Volbeat, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed by Celebi.
With the arrival of night, Volbeat emits light from its tail. It communicates with others by adjusting the intensity and flashing of its light. This Pokémon is attracted by the sweet aroma of Illumise.
Volbeat's tail glows like a lightbulb. With other Volbeat, it uses its tail to draw geometric shapes in the night sky. This Pokémon loves the sweet aroma given off by Illumise.
With their taillights lit, Volbeat fly in a swarm, drawing geometric designs in the night sky. They move their nests if their pond water becomes dirty.
With the arrival of night, Volbeat emits light from its tail. It communicates with others by adjusting the intensity and flashing of its light. This Pokémon is attracted by the sweet aroma of Illumise.
Volbeat’s tail glows like a lightbulb. With other Volbeat, it uses its tail to draw geometric shapes in the night sky. This Pokémon loves the sweet aroma given off by Illumise.
Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Volbeat appears to be based on a firefly like its counterpart, Illumise. Its coloring suggests that it may have been based on the subfamily Cyphonocerinae. Its appearance is based on a greaser's, a subculture in the 1950s; their Japanese counterparts are the Bōsōzoku. Greasers usually wore black or brown y-collared trench-coats and/or jackets with under shirts and also had heavily greased hair. This is shown in Volbeat's black colored "shirt", striped belly "under shirt" and "collar". The pose Volbeat is shown in its Sugimori art may also be a reference to greasers, as they are commonly shown with their hands either holding or popping their jacket collars.
Name origin
Volbeat is a combination of volt (referring to its powers of illumination) and beetle or beat.
Barubeat may be a combination of バルブ barubu (bulb) and beetle.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Volbeat images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
