mothim
Generation IV · #0414 — Moth Pokémon
Mothim, the Moth Pokémon, is a dual-type Bug/Flying Pokémon introduced in Generation IV that represents the male evolutionary counterpart to Wormadam. As National Pokédex #414, Mothim occupies a unique position in the Burmy evolutionary line as a male-exclusive form, creating a fascinating gender dimorphism rarely seen in Pokémon evolution chains. With a base stat total of 424, Mothim achieves balance between its Attack and Special Attack at 94 each, making it capable of dealing damage through either physical or special movesets. Its relatively modest defenses of 50 on both sides and moderate HP of 70 require careful team composition and strategic play to maximize its effectiveness in battle.
Base Stats
Height
0.9m
Weight
23.3kg
Category
Moth Pokémon
Gender
100% Male
Color
yellow
Shape
bug-wings
Abilities
Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Doubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.
Mothim Biology & Physical Characteristics
Mothim is a moth-like Pokémon displaying characteristics typical of nocturnal insects with a distinctive design featuring two pairs of wings of differing sizes. The larger wing pair prominently displays tan coloration accented with orange oval markings and three orange squares at the wingtips, while the smaller pair features only two orange squares at their tips. The creature's head is crowned with orange semi-circular eyes and gray antennae tipped with orange that extend and widen significantly at their bases. Its body exhibits a primarily black coloration with a striking orange patch on the underside and a distinctive gray stripe running down its back, complemented by four gray legs and a small bifurcated black tail. When Mothim flaps its wings, it releases steel-colored scales that scatter into the air—a notable characteristic that distinguishes it from many other flying-type Pokémon and contributes to its ethereal, nocturnal appearance.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Mothim Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Mothim represents an extraordinary case of gender exclusivity in Pokémon evolution, as it exists as a 100% male species with absolutely no female Mothim in existence. This gender ratio is programmed into the Pokémon's core data and cannot be altered through any conventional means, making Mothim one of the most gender-skewed Pokémon species in the entire National Pokédex. The breeding implications are profound: Mothim can only be obtained through evolution from male Burmy, and since Mothim itself is exclusively male, it cannot serve as a parent Pokémon in breeding. The female counterpart Wormadam serves an entirely different ecological and evolutionary niche, with its own three form variants depending on Burmy's cloak type at evolution, creating a complete gender dimorphism unprecedented in most Pokémon lines. This design choice represents a deliberate creative decision by Game Freak to create two entirely distinct species sharing the same pre-evolution rather than a single species with gender-based form differences, reflecting the distinct evolutionary strategies and lifestyles between male and female Burmy.
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
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
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
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
TMs & HMs
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
tm06
ultra sun ultra moon
tm06
sun moon
tm06
x y
tm06
red green japan
+573 more TMs/HMs
Forms
plantDefaultmothim's Evolution Chain
Mothim Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Mothim evolves exclusively from male Burmy upon reaching level 20, making it impossible for female Burmy to evolve into this form. This gender-locked evolution creates one of Pokémon's most distinctive branching evolutionary paths, where Burmy's gender determines its final evolutionary form entirely—males become the Bug/Flying Mothim while females become the Bug/Grass, Bug/Ground, or Bug/Steel Wormadam depending on their cloak type when evolution occurs. The transition from Burmy to Mothim involves a dramatic shift in the Pokémon's physical structure and ecological niche; while Burmy is a terrestrial, cloak-wearing caterpillar, Mothim sheds these earthbound characteristics entirely to become a fully aerial nomad. The evolutionary process dramatically alters typing as well, introducing the Flying-type that Wormadam never acquires, fundamentally changing Mothim's battle capabilities and strategic role. This evolution represents a complete lifestyle metamorphosis from a sedentary, ground-based existence to an active, wandering existence.
Where to Find
Location data not available for this Pokémon in the database.
Mothim Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Mothim is fundamentally a nomadic Pokémon that embraces a lifestyle of constant movement, ceaselessly searching for floral honey and nectar across diverse landscapes. Rather than establishing permanent nests or territories, Mothim ranges freely over fields and mountains, particularly during nighttime hours when it becomes most active. The Pokédex entries reveal a fascinating behavioral quirk: despite its overwhelming preference for floral honey, Mothim notably avoids flower gardens and gardens where it could theoretically forage directly. This paradox is explained through its characteristic cunning—Mothim plots and executes raids on Combee hives to steal their collected honey rather than gathering its own sustenance, suggesting an opportunistic and somewhat mischievous personality. This behavior pattern indicates that Mothim is not merely a simple forager but an intelligent opportunist that has evolved behavioral strategies to exploit other Pokémon's labor for its nutritional needs.
Pokedex Entries
It loves the honey of flowers and steals honey collected by COMBEE.
It does not keep a nest. It flies over fields and mountains in constant search of floral honey.
While it loves floral honey, it won’t gather any itself. Instead, it plots to steal some from COMBEE.
It flutters around at night and steals honey from the COMBEE hive.
While it loves floral honey, it won’t gather any itself. Instead, it plots to steal some from Combee.
While it loves floral honey, it won’t gather any itself. Instead, it plots to steal some from Combee.
It loves the honey of flowers and steals honey collected by Combee.
It flutters around at night and steals honey from the Combee hive.
It loves the honey of flowers and steals honey collected by Combee.
It flutters around at night and steals honey from the Combee hive.
Scatters steel-colored scales as it flaps its wings. Despite being observed feeding primarily on the nectar of flowers, Mothim is not often seen around flower gardens.
Mothim Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name 'Mothim' is derived from the English word 'moth' combined with the masculine suffix '-im,' directly reflecting both its insectoid nature and exclusive male gender. The Japanese name 'Gamale' (ガーメイル) similarly emphasizes the moth inspiration while incorporating Japanese linguistic elements. The design itself draws heavily from real-world moth biology, particularly the Saturniidae family of silk moths, which feature prominent eyespots on their wings and robust, hairy bodies characteristic of Mothim's appearance. The orange markings and overall coloration scheme suggest warm, nocturnal tones appropriate for a creature that hunts under moonlight and starlight. The deliberate inclusion of steel-colored scales connects Mothim to metallic, industrial aesthetics while maintaining biological plausibility through the real phenomenon of scale shedding in actual Lepidoptera. The bifurcated tail and angular wing tips introduce geometric elements that distinguish Mothim from realistic moth depictions, giving it a distinctly Pokémon aesthetic.
Learnable Moves
Mothim can learn 63 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 |
| air slash | flying | Special | 75 | 95 | 15 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bug bite | bug | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| bug buzz | bug | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| camouflage | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| confusion | psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 |
| defog | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| dream eater | psychic | Special | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| electroweb | electric | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| energy ball | grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 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 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| infestation | bug | Special | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| lunge | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| ominous wind | ghost | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| poison powder | poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psybeam | psychic | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psychic | psychic | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| quiver dance | bug | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| roost | flying | Status | — | — | 5 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| 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 |
| skill swap | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 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 |
Mothim Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battle formats, Mothim occupies a niche role supported primarily by its balanced offensive stats of 94 in both Attack and Special Attack, combined with its Swarm ability and hidden Tinted Lens capability. The Swarm ability activates when Mothim's health drops below one-third of its maximum, granting Bug-type moves a 1.5× damage multiplier—useful for late-game momentum shifts but difficult to reliably trigger. More strategically valuable is Mothim's hidden ability Tinted Lens, which doubles damage dealt by moves that are not very effective against the opponent's Pokémon, transforming what would normally be resisted attacks into threatening strikes and enabling Mothim to overcome typical type matchups. With base 66 Speed, Mothim operates in the lower-middle speed tier, making it vulnerable to common fast threats, while its defense stats of 50 leave it fragile against priority moves and strong attacks. Mothim's movepool includes useful coverage moves like Bug Buzz, Air Slash, Psychic, and various elemental attacks, but its competitive viability remains limited in higher-tier formats where bulkier, faster, or more specialized competitors dominate. However, in lower competitive tiers and casual play, Mothim serves as a competent mid-tier threat capable of exploiting Tinted Lens to overcome type disadvantages.
Commonly Asked Questions About Mothim
What type is Mothim?
Mothim is a bug and flying type Pokemon.
What does Mothim evolve from?
Mothim evolved from wormadam-plant that evolved from burmy.
What are Mothim's weaknesses?
Mothim is weak to flying, rock, fire, electric and ice type moves.
Mothim Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Mothim has secured a position in Pokémon culture primarily through its role in the Sinnoh region's lore and its notable appearances in the anime series, particularly through Cheryl's Mothim in the animated adaptation. The Pokémon appeals to players who appreciate insect-type designs and those seeking gender-exclusive evolutionary paths that reward thorough game understanding. Mothim's unique characteristic of stealing honey from Combee has resonated with players and become a defining behavioral trait explored in multiple Pokédex iterations, creating memorable lore that distinguishes it from generic moth Pokémon designs. While not reaching the cultural prominence of earlier Bug-types like Butterfree or Scyther, Mothim has cultivated appreciation among Generation IV enthusiasts and competitive players experimenting with Tinted Lens strategies. Its design has influenced fan communities, with artists frequently depicting the contrast between Mothim's nomadic, honey-stealing lifestyle and the industrious hive society of Combee. The gender-exclusive nature of Mothim's evolution has also sparked discussions about Pokémon design philosophy and reproductive biology within the franchise, making it a intellectually interesting species beyond its battle applications.
Where to Find Mothim in Every Pokémon Game
Mothim's availability varies significantly across Pokémon games, reflecting its Generation IV origins and subsequent appearances in various titles. In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Mothim can be obtained by evolving male Burmy at level 20, with wild Burmy found in various locations including grass patches and buildings throughout the Sinnoh region. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Mothim remains accessible through the same evolution method, though Burmy distribution is more limited. Subsequent generations have included Mothim in their National Pokédex but with varying encounter methods; some titles require trading from previous generations or utilize breeding from imported specimens. In Pokémon X and Y, Mothim appears with Kalos local number 0046 in the Central region but with limited wild availability. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl featured Mothim with enhanced availability, allowing players to encounter and evolve Burmy more readily. Pokémon Legends: Arceus included Mothim as a Pokédex entry, though with restricted availability reflecting the game's different mechanics. Sword and Shield, along with Scarlet and Violet, continue to feature Mothim, typically accessible through the National Pokédex or special encounters depending on game version and expansion content.