Imago

Description
Imago is a giant fly creature encountered in Ridley's Lair.

From Larva To Great Threat


The Imago's larval form comes from Norfair. It can be defeated by freezing the winged Ripper found near it, and then jumping on the Ripper and shooting the vines holding Imago larva up on the ceiling. As the battle continues, the larva will regularly shoot waves of spores at you. The larva will then plunge into a stone platform and open up the passage to Ridley's Lair. As the game progresses, the player can see the larva's progress digging deeper, then having turned into a cocoon, and then having left its cocoon. The second time you meet it, it will be in a room in Ridley's Lair filled with objects that look like eggs. By then it has hatched out of its cocoon and will attempt to kill you once you get near the Super Missile.

Battle Guide
To defeat it, you must cause it to come out and attack by going near one of the openings in the ceiling. Crouch in a lower area to avoid its drop sting and run after it and shoot at its tail/stinger to weaken it. Repeat this procedure until the stinger falls off. Go near the Super Missile and Imago will attempt to ram you. Don't worry though, this ramming does no harm. It goes through you and destroys the organic barrier and you are allowed access to the Super Missile.