Breadbug family
The Breadbug family is a family of creatures in the Pikmin games. The first members of this family were seen in Pikmin, but the actual family was not mentioned or named until Pikmin 2. Along with those listed below, a Vanilla Breadbug is mentioned by Olimar in his notes for the Dwarf Red Bulborb. They have a range of lifestyles depending on the particular species, from scavenging for second-hand kills to actually preying on smaller creatures. It is interesting to note that each member of this family can be defeated or at least damaged by throwing Pikmin onto its back.
The family is named after the Common Breadbug, which resembles a bread roll in appearance.
Breadbug
- Main article: Breadbug.
Breadbugs, found in both Pikmin games, are the beasts after which the Breadbug family is named. They are unable to cause harm to Pikmin directly, though one can do so by pulling objects away into its dwelling. If any Pikmin are carrying an object while it is sucked underground in this manner, they will die. The beast is heavy with thick blubber, making it immune to most attacks. They are found much more commonly in Pikmin 2 than in Pikmin.
Giant Breadbug
- Main article: Giant Breadbug.
The Giant Breadbug is a boss in Pikmin 2. Unlike other Breadbugs, this one is large and has a more cubical shape, looking like a whole loaf of bread. It is by far the largest species in the Breadbug family, but at the same time is considered by many players to be the easiest boss in the game; the boss theme music is not even played when this creature is around, though an exclusive tune is played only in the specific cave sublevel. The more recognizable habitat is located on the last sublevel (6) of the Glutton's Kitchen and consists of only two other Breadbugs, electric nodes, and Anode Beetles.
Dwarf Red Bulborb
- Main article: Dwarf Red Bulborb.
Dwarf Red Bulborbs are small, common enemies in the Pikmin games. They perfectly resemble Red Bulborbs in appearance, but with greatly diminished size. They are also diurnal, being active during the day, as opposed to the Bulborbs they mimic. These enemies are easily defeated by swarming them, but throwing a Pikmin directly on top of one will lead to an immediate kill. Throw a Purple Pikmin on it and the Pikmin will remain attached to it while the creature falls. In Pikmin, these were known only to be a separate species from Red Bulborbs, but in Pikmin 2, they were revealed as members of the Breadbug family rather than the Grub-dog family. Olimar's Notes in the Piklopedia confuse matters by saying he originally incorrectly identified them as juvenile Spotty Bulborbs, which contradicts what the enemy reel at the end of the first game says; he must, therefore, have realized sometime before leaving the planet for the first time that the species were unrelated. In the first game, agitating one will make it scream, awakening the nearest Red Bulborb. This can happen in Pikmin 2, but only when Pikmin are thrown onto its back, and it has no effect at all.
Dwarf Orange Bulborb
- Main article: Dwarf Orange Bulborb.
The Dwarf Orange Bulborb is an enemy in Pikmin 2 alone. It mimics the Orange Bulborb, but, like all other Breadbug family members, it is diurnal, unlike the nocturnal Orange Bulborb. Being as easily agitated as the Bulborb it mimics, it will notice Pikmin at a greater distance than other Dwarf Bulborbs do. It can be very easily defeated by swarming them or by aiming a single Pikmin throw to land on its back.
Snow Bulborb
- Main article: Snow Bulborb.
The Snow Bulborb only appears in Pikmin 2. They are another subspecies of Dwarf Bulborb, these particular ones resembling hairless, miniature Hairy Bulborbs. They are as similar to the beast they endeavor to copy as any other Dwarf Bulborb, and defeated in much the same way. Their most common location is in the vicinity of one or more Hairy Bulborbs, or in cave terrain of snow or ice.
Dwarf Bulbear
- Main article: Dwarf Bulbear.
Scientific Name: Oculus terribilis
Like the Spotty Bulbear, the Dwarf Bulbear appears in all three Pikmin games. They resemble miniature Spotty Bulbears, but unlike Dwarf Bulborbs, are actually juvenile Bulbears. Bulbears in particular are known for hunting along set patrol routes in search for prey, but these immature grub-dogs do not yet have established routes, and thus rely on their parent to guide them towards food.
When by themselves, Dwarf Bulbears will behave just like Dwarf Bulborbs, hungrily sniffing at the ground while waiting for Pikmin to pass by, but they have a much higher reaction time than Dwarf Bulborbs and will not return to their original position after being disturbed. If an adult Bulbear happens to stroll by, these eager young creatures will bark and immediately fall into line behind the beast. Large numbers of Dwarf Bulbears can gather quickly in this way, so it's best to pick them off individually before they get the chance to clump. Sometimes the Bulbear is hidden, but you can tell it's there if the Dwarf Bulbear(s) are sniffing back and forth at a rapid pace and occasionally barking and walking forward a bit.
Trivia
- Every member of the Breadbug family, excluding the Giant Breadbug, have received a figurine in the real world.