Metroid Database Bestiary

These bioluminescent creatures inhabit some of the darkest vegetative areas of Brinstar. Their slowly pulsating glow is the only source of illumination in these locations, and while they calmly fly around with no aggressive intent, their underbellies are extremely delicate and the slightest physical contact will cause them to explode quite violently.

Firefleas can be easily killed, especially since they fly slowly, but it’s best to avoid contact or refrain from shooting all of them in the room; otherwise, Samus will be completely left in the dark. It’s still possible to see faint forms in the room if only a few Firefleas are extinguished, but it makes safe traversal and exploration more difficult.

Surprisingly, the Grapple Beam is completely ineffective against Firefleas.

The Japanese name of the Fireflea is “Hotaree” (ホタリー), derived from the Japanese word for firefly, “hotaru”.

Glow Flies from Metroid II and Plazmites from Metroid Prime are very similar creatures, but not as weak.