Swooping Snitchbug

A Swooping Snitchbug.

Swooping Snitchbug

Scarpanica kesperens

The Swooping Snitchbug is an enemy in both Pikmin games. They are legless, rather blubbery and flying insects with big arms and small antennae for flying, rather than wings. They attack by swooping down and grabbing the Pikmin. After carrying them for a few seconds, they throw them violently toward the ground. This move, strangely enough, doesn't hurt the Pikmin, but actually replants them and deflowers them. The reason for this behavior is unknown. The best way to kill it is to throw Pikmin at it. It will shrug off the Pikmin on it over time, but will fall to the ground temporarily if too many Pikmin attack it. This moment will be the best time to kill it. If you throw Purples at it, it will immediately fall down and cannot shake it off as long as it stays attached to it. In this creature's Piklopedia entry, it hints that the scarpanids evolved from Shearwigs (The scarpanids originally lived on the ground, sporting poorly developed vestigial wings)

Olimar's Notes

The scarpanids originally lived on the ground, sporting poorly developed vestigial wings. This species has developed enlarged antennae that can be used as makeshift wings. Scarpanids are attracted to the sight of large groups of pikmin in cavalry formation and will swoop down to seize them. However, scarpanids don't 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 this area.

Louie's Notes

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