Pineco is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II. This unique creature resembles a pine cone and is known as the Bagworm Pokémon. Pineco has a distinctive blue-green, pine cone-like shell that serves as protection from bird Pokémon that might mistake it for an actual pine cone. It has red eyes and no visible limbs, with a single spike on top of its head that is believed to be its stem.
One of Pineco's most interesting features is its ability to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark to its body. It accomplishes this by spitting out a fluid that hardens when exposed to air, acting as a glue to attach the bark. As Pineco accumulates more tree bark, its shell becomes bigger and thicker, with older Pineco growing to be remarkably large.
Pineco is known for its patient hunting strategy. It typically hangs motionless from tree branches in tropical and temperate forests, waiting for flying insect prey to come near. In the Alola region, Pineco's favorite prey is Cutiefly. Despite its usually immobile nature, Pineco has a surprising defense mechanism: if disturbed while eating, it will drop to the ground and suddenly explode.
Pokédex Data
- Type: Bug
- Height: 0.6 m (2'00")
- Weight: 7.2 kg (15.9 lbs)
- Abilities: Sturdy, Overcoat (Hidden Ability)
- Gender Ratio: 50% male, 50% female
Breeding
- Egg Group: Bug
- Egg Cycles: 20 (4,884–5,140 steps)
Pokédex Entries Across Versions
- Gold: It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn't bother it.
- Silver: It hangs and waits for flying insect prey to come near. It does not move about much on its own.
- Crystal: It spits out a fluid that it uses to glue tree bark to its body. The fluid hardens when it touches air.
- Ultra Sun: Motionless, it hangs from trees, waiting for its bug Pokémon prey to come to it. Its favorite in Alola is Cutiefly.
- Ultra Moon: It sticks tree bark to itself with its saliva, making itself thicker and larger. Elderly Pineco are ridiculously huge.
Evolutions
Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31.
Habits and Additions Across Generations
In Generations 2-4, Pineco had a base experience yield of 60, which was later changed to 58. Its base Friendship value was 70 in Generations 2-7. In Alola, Pineco developed a preference for Cutiefly as prey. The Pokémon's defensive strategy of exploding when disturbed has been a consistent trait across generations, making it a unique and intriguing Bug-type Pokémon.