Swooping Snitchbug
Appears in	Pikmin  Pikmin 2
Prima "Technical Name"	Scarpanid
Scientific name	Scarpanica kesperens
Family	Scarpanid
Areas	Pikmin The Forest of Hope The Distant Spring Pikmin 2 Perplexing Pool Wistful Wild
Underground areas	Subterranean Complex Frontier Cavern Snagret Hole Citadel of Spiders Cavern of Chaos Hole of Heroes
Challenge Mode levels	Abduction Den
Carry weight	3
Size	30mm
Max. carriers	6 Pikmin
Seed worth	4
Treasure value	4 pokos
Attacks	Replants and deflowers Pikmin
Hit points	2400 in Pikmin 1500 in Pikmin 2

The Swooping Snitchbug is a creature found in both Pikmin games. They are legless, round, flying insects that have devolved wing-like antennae as a means of locomotion. They swoop down, as their name suggests, and grab their prey with their claws. After carrying them for a few seconds, they violently throw them towards the ground. This action would harm most prey, whereas Pikmin are simply replanted and reverted to their original leaf-receptacle state. These creatures will plummet to the ground if weighed down by a sufficient number of Pikmin, or with a single Purple Pikmin, rendering it susceptible to further attack. Ultra-bitter Spray may also be used to freeze it in mid-air, causing it to drop to the ground, which is arguably easier, but of course produces no corpse, and may be considered a waste of sprays. Occasionally in Pikmin 2, the caves such as the Subterranean Complex, a Swooping Snitchbug might accidentally throw a Pikmin into the abyss below, killing it. Should it throw a Yellow Pikmin that is holding a Bomb Rock, the bomb-rock will explode, killing the Yellow Pikmin, all Pikmin caught in the blast, and the Swooping Snitchbug. The position of the Swooping Snitchbug in the Enemy reel, which is otherwise alphabetical, indicates that the creature's name may originally have started with "flying". In Pikmin, it only appears in the Forest of Hope on day 15 and forward, and in the Distant Spring on day 4 and forward.

The Swooping Snitchbug is confirmed to return in Pikmin 3 as seen in the April 17 Nintendo Direct video being attacked by Winged Pikmin.

NotesEdit

Reel notes

"This rare species uses its antennae as wings."

Olimar's Notes

"The scarpanids originally lived on the ground, sporting poorly developed vestigial wings. This species developed enlarged antennae that can be used as makeshift wings. Scarpanids are attracted by the sight of large groups of Pikmin in cavalry formation and will swoop down to seize them. However, scarpanids do not eat Pikmin, and they will drop any seized Pikmin after a short time. The reason for this behavior is unknown, but I look forward to future research in the area."

Louie's Notes

"Remove the wings, marinate in a well-marbled steak for several hours in a chipotle marinade, then charbroil to perfection."

GalleryEdit

Artwork of a Swooping Snitchbug carrying Pikmin from Pikmin.

A Swooping Snitchbug at the Perplexing Pool in Pikmin 2.

A Swooping Snitchbug in the Piklopedia of Pikmin 2.

A Swooping Snitchbug in the Perplexing Pool.

A Swooping Snitchbug being attacked by some Winged Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

A closer look of a swooping snitchbug in Pikmin 3.

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Trophy DescriptionEdit

A member of the scarpanid family. Although originally a ground dweller, its oversized antennae developed into wings, allowing it to fly around freely. The snitchbug doesn't eat Pikmin, but rather picks them up, carries them away, and firmly replants them in another location.

GlitchEdit

There is a glitch in Pikmin: Once you've knocked the Swooping Snitchbug down to the ground, throw your Pikmin onto the creature and swarm it with all of the other Pikmin, which should kill it. Then, carry it back to the Onions by swarming the corpse. Later, you will notice the Pikmin you threw on the squirming Swooping Snitchbug are floating in the air, making the attacking motion as if they are attacking something invisible.

TriviaEdit

• Using an Action Replay to access a model test menu in Pikmin 1, the Swooping Snitchbug's code name is "napkid".