Withering Dweevil

The Withering Dweevil is a harmless dweevil appearing in Pikmin 251 and is a close relative of the Munge Dweevil. It, along with the Dwarf Silver Bulborb, is among the first enemies fought in the game. Unlike most other dweevils, which utilize a specific elemental hazard to defend itself from attackers, the Withering Dweevil expels a gray gas that causes the maturity of affected Pikmin to revert to the leaf stage. This ability makes it similar to the Withering Blowhog. Withering Dweevils behave like most other dweevils, fleeing from nearby leaders and Pikmin as well as picking up various objects such as treasures and corpses.

Withering Dweevils have the body shape and size all lesser dweevils have, and their coloration is very similar to that of the Caustic Dweevil. They have teal bodies, green-tipped feelers, and two green eyes and two gray eyes. Their four skinny legs have black tips.

The Withering Dweevil is a weak, cowardly enemy that flees at the smallest sign of danger. They are absolutely harmless as the only attack they have is to deflower Pikmin, making them annoying to fight. Swarming a Withering Dweevil is not recommended because very few Pikmin will be able to jump high enough to reach the creature's main body. Because of this, throwing Pikmin onto it from underneath its body is the most effective method of killing it. A strategy to kill it over time while leaders are away, accomplishing another task, is to send at least five leaf-maturity Pikmin of any kind to attack the creature. The involved Pikmin are already at the lowest maturity, and five Pikmin are enough to carry the Withering Dweevil's body.