Bony Beetle

A Bony Beetle is an undead skeletal version of a Buzzy Beetle that has made minor appearances throughout the Mario series.

Super Mario World
They first appear in Super Mario World and its remake, where they walk around, then stop and stick out spikes. They can be defeated with the swing of a cape, but are immune to Fireballs. If Mario stomps one, it will fall apart and reassemble seconds later, similar to a Dry Bones. Due to graphical limitations, Bony Beetles appear to turn into Dry Bones whenever they collapse. Bony Beetles are first seen in the depths of Vanilla Fortress.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Bony Beetles also appear in the World-e level Swinging Bars of Doom from Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. They look and act the same exact way as in Super Mario World.

New Super Mario Bros. U
Bony Beetles reappear in the Wii U title New Super Mario Bros. U, making their first 2.5D appearance. Their behavior is exactly the same as in Super Mario World; they walk around and suddenly stop to stick out their spikes. When stomped, they fall apart and reform a few seconds later; immediately after reforming, they will always stick their spikes out before walking around again. Notably, they now resemble their Paper Mario: Sticker Star appearance, and are quadrupedal; they're now closer in appearance to Buzzy Beetles.

They typically appear in later Towers and Castles, but they can also appear in volcanic and subterranean levels as well. Bony Beetles can be defeated with an Ice Flower, or by hitting elastic platforms underneath them.

Super Mario-Kun
A giant Bony Beetle has appeared in volume 4 of Super Mario-Kun, which deals with Super Mario World. Unlike in the games, it can shoot spikes to form a prison-like structure and shoot lasers from its eyes. When it rams into Mario, it sends Mario flying into a block, releasing a Dragon Coin. When Yoshi grabs the Dragon Coin, his tongue swirls out of control and defeats the Bony Beetle.

Paper Mario
They are later seen in Paper Mario in an underground section of Bowser's Castle (and several other places), with a complete makeover. They're defeated basically the same way as Dry Bones, but harder, so the player must whack them with the Hammer often when fighting them. They engage battle with Mario in different ways depending on if their back spikes are extended. If their spikes stick out, they jump onto Mario, doing five damage; they are also naturally spiked. If their spikes are retracted, they simply use a basic Shell Toss attack like a Koopa Troopa for three damage instead. They sometimes retract their spikes in or out after being attacked. If a Bony Beetle sees Mario outside battle it will try to use its Shell Toss attack to make the First Strike.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Bony Beetles appear as enemies in the Nintendo 3DS game Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Their appearance now closely resembles Buzzy Beetles more than their previous iterations. Just like in Paper Mario, Bony Beetles can protrude and retract their spikes at will, and are also immune to fire-based attacks. They cannot be jumped on unless Mario uses an Iron Jump sticker; if he uses one when the spikes are not displayed, they simply do so and repel the attack. A Bony Beetle's only attack is protruding their spikes (if they have not already) and then headbonking Mario. Also unlike the Spinies, they do not throw off timing though it may look like it would ram Mario at first. Like a head bonk attack from a Goomba, the Bony Beetle will roll over if the attack misses.

They would later have the same design in New Super Mario Bros. U.

Mario Party: Island Tour
Bony Beetles appear in Mario Party: Island Tour on the Star-Crossed Skyway board. In the second and third Star Stages, a Bony Beetle gives out two Mini Ztars. When idle, it has its head out and its spines retracted, but when it first appears and when the player receives the Mini Ztars, it pulls its head into its shell and sticks out its spikes.

Trivia

 * In Super Mario World, Bony Beetles have red feet, but the one shown in the credits cutscene for the game has blue feet.