Physiology
Illumise resembles a firefly with feminine traits. Her body is black and blue, with two vertical stripes going down the front. Her arms and legs are black as well, and are connected to the body by purple borders. On her front is what resembles a yellow bow or shawl. She has large, slanted eyes with blue irises, and appears to be smiling, unlike her male counterpart, Volbeat. Surrounding her head is a purple appendage with curls at the end that frame its face. Her antennae are also smaller than Volbeat's, and are yellow in color. Illumise has small wings used for flying with others of the species. Illumise has a pattern of three oblong yellow spots on its rear.
Gender differences
Illumise is a female-only species. For the male counterpart, see Volbeat.
Special abilities
With their sweet aromas, Illumise guide Volbeat in the night sky to draw various geometric patterns.
Behavior
Illumise are nocturnal, coming out at night with other Illumise and Volbeat. Others of the species seem to judge others based on how complex their designs in the night sky made with their tails are.
Habitat
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
- Like Nidoran♀ and Nidoran♂, an egg laid by an Illumise has a chance of containing a Volbeat.
- Illumise shares the same species name with its male counterpart Volbeat. They are both known as Firefly Pokémon.
- Despite being the Firefly Pokémon, it can be found all day in Diamond and Pearl, unlike real fireflies who are nocturnal.
- Despite Illumise being Template:Type2, in Generation III, it cannot learn any Bug-type move via level-up, and even via breeding, only Silver Wind can be taught to it.
- Illumise, along with Volbeat, was thought to have been the first Bug/Electric type Pokémon, according to a Nintendo Power issue released before Ruby and Sapphire. However, this was later proved false.
- Although Illumise clearly flies, can learn several Template:Type2 moves and and its Pokédex entries state that it can fly, it is not part Flying-type, nor can it have the ability Levitate. It shares this trait with its male counterpart Volbeat, as well as Beedrill, Venomoth, Heracross, Dustox, and Ulgamoth.
- Illumise is the only non-Template:Type2 that can learn Growth, other than Smeargle, who can use it by using Sketch.
- Illumise is the only Pokémon in Generation III whose name starts with the letter I.
- Illumise is the only non-Poison Pokémon to learn Flatter by leveling up.
- Every one of Illumise's Pokédex entries mention Volbeat.
Origin
Illumise appears to be based on Lampyridaes (also known as fireflies) like its counterpart, Volbeat. It does not seem to share its coloring with any particular species. Illumise may be based on flappers, a 1920's women's style. They usually had bobbed hair, like Illumise's purple "hair", and wore taboo dresses and outfits. Illumise seems to be wearing a black jacket, coat, or dress, similar to Volbeat's, with purple arm and leg cuffs. The yellow bow-like shape under its neck is reminiscent to that of a yellow peter pan collar and the stripes on its abdomen resemble a girdle.
Name origin
Illumise's name is a play on the word illuminate.