dustox
Generation III · #0269 — Poison Moth Pokémon
Dustox, the Poison Moth Pokémon bearing the National Pokédex number #269, is a dual-type Bug/Poison Pokémon introduced in Generation III. This nocturnal creature represents the final evolution of Wurmple when it evolves from Cascoon at level 10, making it one of two possible ultimate forms for the early-game bug-type alongside Beautifly. With a base stat total of 385, Dustox emphasizes defensive capabilities with a special defense stat of 90, the highest of its base stats, complemented by a respectable defense of 70. Its signature ability, Shield Dust, protects the Pokémon from the secondary effects of incoming moves, while its hidden ability Compound Eyes increases the accuracy of its moves to 1.3 times their normal value, offering competitive flexibility depending on playstyle preference.
Base Stats
Height
1.2m
Weight
31.6kg
Category
Poison Moth Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
green
Shape
bug-wings
Habitat
forest
Abilities
Protects against incoming moves' extra effects.
Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.
Dustox Biology & Physical Characteristics
Dustox is a moth-like Pokémon featuring a distinctive purple, egg-shaped body with a jagged fringe running along its rear end. The creature possesses two pairs of wings that are notably wide and flat, forming a disc-like shape around its body when at rest. These tattered green wings display striking red markings in the form of rings and streaks, bordered by darker green edges, and most importantly, contain the toxic dust that defines this species' dangerous nature. Standing at 1.2 meters tall and weighing 31.6 kilograms, Dustox has two pairs of red, stubby legs supporting its frame. Its most distinctive facial features are the large, yellow compound eyes positioned prominently on its head, paired with fuzzy yellow antennae that serve as sensory organs for locating food. The antennae are noticeably smaller on female Dustox compared to their male counterparts, providing a visible sexual dimorphism in the species.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Dustox Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Dustox exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male to 50% female, allowing trainers equal opportunity to breed either sex. The species belongs to the Bug egg group, meaning it can only breed with other Pokémon in the same egg group or with Ditto. Female Dustox can be bred with compatible male Pokémon to produce Wurmple eggs, which will hatch after 15 egg cycles or approximately 3,599 to 3,855 steps of travel. The slight sexual dimorphism is expressed primarily through antenna size, with males sporting larger, more prominent antennae than females, though this difference is subtle compared to the dramatic sexual distinctions seen in other Pokémon species. Baby Pokémon do not exist in this evolutionary line—Wurmple is the earliest form trainers will encounter or breed. The base friendship value of 70 indicates that Dustox develops relatively strong bonds with trainers relatively quickly, making it a rewarding Pokémon to raise from Cascoon through its evolution.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
silver-powder
type-enhancement
Held: Bug-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
silver-powder
type-enhancement
Held: Bug-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
silver-powder
type-enhancement
Held: Bug-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
silver-powder
type-enhancement
Held: Bug-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
silver-powder
type-enhancement
Held: Bug-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
shed-shell
held-items
Held: Holder can bypass all trapping effects and switch out. Multi-turn moves still cannot be switched out of.
Cost: 4000
TMs & HMs
tm04
yellow
tm04
red blue
tm04
red green japan
tm04
blue japan
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
tm06
ruby sapphire
tm06
colosseum
tm06
black 2 white 2
tm06
xd
tm06
black white
tm06
heartgold soulsilver
tm06
omega ruby alpha sapphire
+551 more TMs/HMs
Gender Differences
This Pokémon has visible differences between male and female forms.
dustox's Evolution Chain
Dustox Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Dustox is the final evolutionary form of Wurmple, part of a branching evolution line that demonstrates the Generation III innovation of personality-based branching evolutions. Wurmple evolves into one of two intermediate forms based on its personality value: Silcoon or Cascoon. Dustox specifically descends from Cascoon, evolving when that intermediate form reaches level 10. The evolution from Cascoon to Dustox represents a dramatic transformation, as the cocoon-like bug sheds its chrysalis form to emerge as a fully-winged, mobile moth Pokémon capable of flight. This evolution grants Dustox the addition of the Poison type to its Bug typing, fundamentally altering its type effectiveness profile and expanding its movepool to include poison-type moves. Unlike Beautifly, the alternative final form from the Wurmple line, Dustox trades some offensive power for superior defensive capabilities, particularly in special defense, making it the tankier option for trainers seeking a more defensive bug-type evolution.
Where to Find
eterna forest
sinnoh
sinnoh sea route 230
sinnoh
sinnoh route 205
sinnoh
sinnoh route 224
sinnoh
+3 more
sinnoh route 229
sinnoh
+1 more
Dustox Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Dustox is inherently nocturnal, becoming active only after sunset and displaying an almost instinctive attraction to artificial light sources such as streetlamps and city lights. This behavior creates significant ecological problems, as massive swarms are drawn to populated areas where they wreak considerable havoc by stripping leaves from roadside trees and urban vegetation as sustenance. According to Pokédex entries, these gatherings can be so destructive that residents often struggle to drive the swarms away from settlements. When sensing danger or threat, Dustox responds by violently fluttering its wings to scatter highly toxic powder—so potent that it can sicken even professional wrestlers, as one entry notes. The species uses its antennae like biological radar to search for food sources, navigating through the darkness with remarkable efficiency. In their natural state, Dustox inhabit forests, fields, and mountain regions, though they inevitably migrate toward urban centers during nighttime hours in pursuit of artificial illumination.
Pokedex Entries
DUSTOX is instinctively drawn to light. Swarms of this POKéMON are attracted by the bright lights of cities, where they wreak havoc by stripping the leaves off roadside trees for food.
When DUSTOX flaps its wings, a fine dust is scattered all over. This dust is actually a powerful poison that will even make a pro wrestler sick. This POKéMON searches for food using its antennae like radar.
It is a nocturnal POKéMON that flies from fields and mountains to the attraction of streetlights at night. It looses highly toxic powder from its wings.
It scatters horribly toxic dust when it senses danger. They tend to gather in the glow of streetlamps at night.
A nocturnal Pokémon. Drawn by streetlights, they messily eat the leaves of trees lining boulevards.
It violently flutters its wings to scatter toxic dust when attacked. It becomes active after sunset.
Toxic powder is scattered with each flap. At night, it is known to strip leaves off trees lining boulevards.
It scatters its fine dust all over when it is attacked. It is a nocturnal Pokémon.
Toxic powder is scattered with each flap. At night, it is known to strip leaves off trees lining boulevards.
Toxic powder is scattered with each flap. At night, it is known to strip leaves off trees lining boulevards.
A nocturnal Pokémon. Drawn by streetlights, they messily eat the leaves of trees lining boulevards.
It violently flutters its wings to scatter toxic dust when attacked. It becomes active after sunset.
Dustox is instinctively drawn to light. Swarms of this Pokémon are attracted by the bright lights of cities, where they wreak havoc by stripping the leaves off roadside trees for food.
When Dustox flaps its wings, a fine dust is scattered all over. This dust is actually a powerful poison that will even make a pro wrestler sick. This Pokémon searches for food using its antennae like radar.
Tends to be drawn to bonfires on dark nights. Difficult to chase away from settlements because of the way it scatters highly toxic scales.
Dustox Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Dustox is a straightforward English portmanteau combining 'dust' and 'toxic,' directly reflecting the Pokémon's signature characteristic of spreading poisonous dust from its wings. The Japanese name, Dokucale, similarly merges 'doku' (poison) with 'cale,' referring to the insect's moth-like nature. The design itself draws clear inspiration from real-world moths, particularly the structure and appearance of nocturnal species that are attracted to artificial lights. The green and purple coloration, combined with the red markings on its wings, creates a visually striking appearance that differentiates it from other bug-types while maintaining the cohesive design language of the Wurmple evolution line. The prominent antennae reference the sensory organs actual moths use for navigation and food-finding, while the disc-shaped wing arrangement when at rest reflects how many moth species fold their wings. The toxic dust element represents an evolution beyond the simpler bugs of earlier generations, adding a layer of danger and ecological consequence to what might otherwise be a benign nocturnal creature.
Learnable Moves
Dustox can learn 66 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acrobatics | flying | Physical | 55 | 100 | 15 |
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| air cutter | flying | Special | 60 | 95 | 25 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bug bite | bug | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| bug buzz | bug | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| confusion | psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 |
| defog | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| electroweb | electric | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| extrasensory | psychic | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| flash | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| gust | flying | Special | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| harden | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| infestation | bug | Special | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| laser focus | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| leech life | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| moonlight | fairy | Status | — | — | 5 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| ominous wind | ghost | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| poison powder | poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| poison sting | poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psybeam | psychic | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| psychic | psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| quiver dance | bug | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| roost | flying | Status | — | — | 5 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| signal beam | bug | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| silver wind | bug | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sludge bomb | poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| string shot | bug | Status | — | 95 | 40 |
| struggle bug | bug | Special | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| tailwind | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| twister | dragon | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| venoshock | poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| whirlwind | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
Dustox Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive play, Dustox occupies a challenging niche due to its modest base stats and limited offensive presence, with both attack and special attack sitting at only 50. However, its defensive profile provides some merit, particularly the 90 special defense stat that allows it to survive special-type attacks more effectively than many bug-type Pokémon. The Shield Dust ability offers defensive utility by blocking secondary effects from moves like burns, paralysis, and stat drops, making it a functional defensive tool in certain metagames. The hidden ability Compound Eyes increases move accuracy to 1.3 times normal, which can be valuable for moves with inherent accuracy issues, though this is less commonly utilized competitively. Dustox's movepool, while not extensive, includes useful moves like Quiver Dance to boost special attack and special defense simultaneously, along with coverage moves in psychic and flying types. In formats like Pokémon Sword and Shield's competitive scene, Dustox remains largely outclassed by faster, more offensively-oriented bug-type options, relegating it primarily to casual play and niche strategies rather than competitive tournaments at the highest levels.
Commonly Asked Questions About Dustox
What type is Dustox?
Dustox is a bug and poison type Pokemon.
What does Dustox evolve from?
Dustox evolved from cascoon that evolved from beautifly that evolved from silcoon that evolved from wurmple.
What are Dustox's weaknesses?
Dustox is weak to flying, rock, fire and psychic type moves.
Where can I find Dustox?
Dustox can be found in eterna forest (sinnoh), sinnoh sea route 230 (sinnoh) and sinnoh route 205 (sinnoh) and 2 other locations.
Dustox Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Dustox gained significant prominence in the Pokémon animated series through Jessie's Dustox, a major character that evolved from her Cascoon during the early Advanced Generation saga. This companion became a fan-favorite character, showcasing Dustox's personality and battling prowess in numerous memorable episodes and contributing substantially to the species' cultural recognition among viewers. The design's striking visual appearance with its purple body and green-red wings made it immediately iconic and recognizable even to casual franchise observers. Dustox's nocturnal behavior and light-attraction mechanics have influenced how the creature appears in subsequent games and media, becoming emblematic of the moth-like qualities introduced in Generation III's diverse roster. The species' toxicity theme, communicated through its signature dust attacks, became a defining characteristic that helped establish the bug-poison combination as a viable type pairing in competitive and casual contexts. Beyond animation, Dustox has appeared consistently in trading card games, merchandise, and spinoff games, maintaining a steady if modest presence in Pokémon culture that ensures recognition among both longtime fans and newer players exploring the Generation III Hoenn region.
Where to Find Dustox in Every Pokémon Game
Dustox becomes available to trainers relatively early in the Hoenn region games, accessible as soon as players capture or receive a Wurmple in the initial routes and evolve it through Cascoon. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, Dustox can be encountered as a wild Pokémon in various grass patches and cave systems throughout the region. The species maintains presence across subsequent generations with varying availability—it appears in Sinnoh games including Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and returns in later generations including Black 2 and White 2. In more recent titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield, Dustox is obtainable through evolution, while Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduces it as a regional variant encounter. The relatively common appearance of Wurmple in early-game areas ensures that obtaining a Dustox is rarely challenging, making it a popular choice for players seeking a bug-type team member early in their adventure. Its capture rate of 45 makes it moderately easy to catch in the wild when encountered, and the straightforward evolution path from Cascoon at level 10 means players can complete the line without excessive grinding or special requirements.