Mothula

Mothula (ガモース, Gamōsu) is a recurring enemy in the Zelda series. It made its first appearance in A Link to the Past as the boss of the Skull Woods. It would later take on a smaller role as a miniboss, and afterwards as a common enemy.

A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, Mothula is the guardian of Skull Woods, the third dungeon of the Dark World, and the third crystal.

Mothula resides in a room with a moving mechanical floor, which is surrounded by deadly spiked blocks. Once the fight begins, the floor will start moving. The spiked blocks will also begin to slide across the floor, and will cause damage if they come in contact with Link. Mothula will attack by spewing a series of three energy beams at Link.

The most effective method of attack is the Fire Rod. It drains magic power quickly, though, so it might be wise to keep a green or blue potion handy before starting the battle. Though not nearly as powerful against Mothula, the Master Sword is also effective.

It is possible to skip the Skull Woods and enter other dungeons first, however. Because of this, there a several other items and weapons that are useful against Mothula, including the Cane of Byrna (which creates a protective barrier around Link that damages enemies), the Magic Cape, and the Tempered Sword.

Another useful method is for Link to take a bee with him into the boss room. Mothula is the only boss that can be hurt by the bee. After the bee flies away, Link can finish Mothula off using more conventional means.

Mothula is fought again in the additional dungeon Palace of the Four Sword in the GBA remake of the game. Although the battle arena is now more lenient, the boss itself isn't. Mothula multiplies itself by three, but the first replica is killed after the first hit when it gets attacked by Link, no matter which one. Afterward, the replica splits into four bees that chase Link for a short time. The remaining two clones will attack Link with single shots of energy beam, which suggests that the boss's power is divided when it splits; when the second replica dies and leaves four bees that chase Link, the third one multiplies itself by three once more. After Link defeats two of them, the third one automatically dies and the young hero claims victory.

Oracle of Seasons
In Oracle of Seasons, Mothula guards the Bright Sun in the Poison Moth's Lair. It fights by circling around the room and spitting fire at Link. It will also release larvae from time to time to defend itself. After a short period of time, it will settle on one of the two platforms in the middle of the room, leaving itself open for attack. The Roc's Feather can be used to jump across the two platforms and dodge attacks. If Link falls through the gap in the floor, any damage Mothula sustained will be undone and Link must restart the battle.

The Wind Waker
In The Wind Waker, the Mothula appears in various caves and dungeons in two varieties: winged and wingless. Both attack by ramming Link and occasionally release Morths to slow his movement, however the wingless variety is much faster and more aggressive. Those with wings can have them clipped off with the Boomerang, Hookshot, or normal arrows, though Fire, Ice, or Light Arrows can kill them in one shot.

A winged Mothula appears in the Forbidden Woods as a mini-boss. Since Link does not have any of the aforementioned equipment at the time, it must be stunned with the Deku Leaf and attacked with the sword. After it loses all its wings, a few more sword strikes will finish it off and Link will earn the Boomerang.

Spirit Tracks
A Mothula appears as a miniboss in Spirit Tracks inside the Forest Temple. It will attack Link by launching Bubbles at him. Link must use the Whirlwind to launch the Bubbles back and stun it, allowing him to attack. If Link tries to attack them while they're not stunned, they will disappear and reappear in another place. If Link blows the Whirlwind at them, they will return the attack at him, stunning him.

Trivia

 * The name "Mothula" is probably a parody of Mothra from the Godzilla movies.
 * Strangely, three (later one more) Mothulas appear in the Earth Temple enemy floors in the Savage Labyrinth on Outset Island, despite the fact that they don't appear in that dungeon.