Swooping Snitchbug

Swooping Snitchbugs are legless, round, flying insects that have evolved wing-like antennae as a means of locomotion. Some Swooping Snitchbugs have glass-like eyes with pupils, but others have more realistic compound eyes. They swoop down, as their name suggests, and grab a maximum of two 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. Sometimes the affected Pikmin are reverted to their original leaf stage, and other times their maturity remains the same. Some Swooping Snitchbugs are also able to pick up leaders, much like Bumbling Snitchbugs do; if they don't escape, they will be tossed to the ground and harmed.

These creatures will plummet to the ground if weighed down by a sufficient number of Pikmin, a single Purple Pikmin, or a single Rock Pikmin, or a similar Pikmin. This renders it susceptible to further attack.

Should the enemy 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 likely itself too. Some Swooping Snitchbugs will carry only the bomb-rock instead, and it throwing the bomb-rock merely activates it instead of causing an immediate explosion. Although the creature is not as interested in killing Pikmin as much as it is chucking them, it may end up throwing a Pikmin at a hazard.

Swooping Snitchbugs can and will grab Pikmin from the leader's hand, if they are holding on to it before throwing. Different Swooping Snitchbugs have different methods of disposing of their prey if they have grabbed two victims; some will throw one down, and then throw the other one down after flying around for a bit; others will throw both of their victims to the ground at once.

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

=In fanon-games=

Pikmin Eco
The Swooping Snitchbug returns in Pikmin Eco. It holds much of the same behaviors as it had in previous games: it will fly down and snatch up either the player or one of their Pikmin, carry them around for a while, and then throw them harshly at the ground.

Pikspore
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Ship's log

 * "If there's one thing I hate the most on this strange planet, it's the insects. Wretched, bloodthirsty insects! This flying predator is no exception!"