Hollow Knight: Silksong — How to Find All 3 Volatile Flintbeetles Fast (Claim the Memory Locket)
The “Volatile Flintbeetles” side quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong tasks you with finding three flame-spewing beetles, collecting their Flintgems, and returning them to Bone Bottom. It’s straightforward in goal, but you’ll need some platforming and patience to avoid their explosions.
“Volatile Flintbeetles” quest location in Hollow Knight: Silksong
The quest appears on the Bone Bottom quest board in the village of Bone Bottom. However, it does not always show up immediately after the first Bone Bottom tasks; in many playthroughs it appears later, for example after you reach the Greymoor area north of the Far Fields.
Once the notice is on the board, travel to The Marrow to begin. Note that one of the beetle spawns requires reliable downward aerial attacks (pogoing), so if you struggle with the basic downward strike, consider using the Reaper Crest from the Chapel of the Reaper in Greymoor or the Wanderer Crest found in Bonegrave to help reach higher platforms.
“Volatile Flintbeetles” quest walkthrough in Hollow Knight: Silksong
To complete the quest you must find and defeat three Volatile Flintbeetles in The Marrow, then collect a Flintgem from each. You can walk east from the Bone Bottom board to enter The Marrow, or fast travel to The Marrow bell station if you’ve already unlocked it.
Each beetle spawns from a glowing pile of dung. Approach a pile and choose “track” to follow the white vapor trail that points directly to the beetle. Follow the trail, but be ready: the beetles attack on sight with fire bombs and leave explosive trails that detonate when touched.
Fight strategy is simple and safe: wait for the beetle to finish an attack, land one or two quick hits, then jump or dodge out of range. After it falls, pick up the dropped Flintgem.
The first Volatile Flintbeetle is at the top of the first room you enter when leaving Bone Bottom. Jump up at the first opportunity, continue to the ceiling, and hit the glowing stone to spawn the beetle.
The second beetle is east of The Marrow’s fast travel station. Move two rooms east to the large chamber with disappearing platforms. Jump up through the next room and head to the right side at the top; you’ll pass aromatic dung and a large Skull Brute before reaching the glowing stone that spawns the beetle.
The third beetle sits in the northeastern section of The Marrow. From the bell station, drop or walk to the same level as the previous beetle and head right. Cross the spiky-floor room, then position yourself above the red balloons and use a downward slash to gain extra height and continue upward.
Continue up and right until you reach a fork. Drop down either branch and you’ll find the third Volatile Flintbeetle on the left at ground level. After defeating it, collect the Flintgem and return to Bone Bottom.
“Volatile Flintbeetles” quest reward in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Bring the three Flintgems back to the quest board in Bone Bottom to claim your reward. The quest grants a Memory Locket, which you can use to unlock an extra item slot on a Crest. It’s a direct, tangible bonus that improves build options.
