Dweevil family
Thedweevil family (ショイグモ科?, lit.: "Carrying spider family") is a family of enemies found inPikmin 2 andPikmin 4 that resemble spiders. All members are known to collecttreasures, deadcreatures,restingleaders and other objects in order to mimic them or use them for some other purpose.
Most possesselemental attacks, which they do not use unless aggravated, and they are mostly foundunderground, with some appearing aboveground inPikmin 4 only. The size of smaller Dweevils' bodies makes landing a Pikmin on them difficult; they are most easily defeated usingPurple Pikmin, which can home in on enemies when thrown, and even stun the beasts without having to land right on them.
Members[edit]
Anode Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Anode Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia volticula
The Anode Dweevil is yellow and attacks with anelectrical discharge, which, like other electrical hazards, will immediately electrocute and killPikmin vulnerable to electricity without a chance to save them, thus making it one of the most dangerous common Dweevils. This makesYellow Pikmin the best choice in battle against them. Its attack is a bit harmful to leaders unless theAnti-Electrifier has been collected, which grants immunity to electric attacks.
Fiery Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Fiery Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia napalmens
The Fiery Dweevil is the most common Dweevil inPikmin 2. It is a red Dweevil that, when agitated by attacks, will release searingflames that will set nearby Pikmin on fire. This makesRed Pikmin ideal for combating this creature. It is still able to hurt leaders unless they have obtained theScorch Guard, which makes them immune to fire attacks.
Hydro Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Hydro Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia aquadis/Mandarachnia sulfurnid
This is a blue Dweevil which, when agitated by attacks, releases a bodily fluid in an attempt to drown attacking Pikmin. Therefore, pittingBlue Pikmin against them is the best choice. Hydro Dweevils can cause minor damage to leaders, but their lowhealth and weak attacks mean they pose no real threat to them.
Iceblown Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Iceblown Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia glacies
This light blue/cyan colored dweevil's attack consists of discharging an ice attack, freezing any Pikmin it manages to hit, of course unless Ice Pikmin are used, making them ideal for taking this beast down.Oatchi can also handle them effectively if he has the
Pup Thermal Defense equipped.
Munge Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Munge Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia pungetis
The Munge Dweevil is a purple Dweevil that releases apoisonous gas when attacked; this poisons any Pikmin that are not immune to it, makingWhite Pikmin top notch when fighting these creatures. However, since leaders have air filters, they can be beaten easily without Pikmin.
Titan Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Titan Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia gargantium
The Titan Dweevil is the last boss inPikmin 2. It is by far the largest of all known Dweevils, and can only attack using the four treasures it has picked up and its arms, the latter of which causing no damage. This means that without the treasures, it is actually harmless. It is found on the final sublevel ofDream Den, whereOlimar andthe President findLouie sitting on top of a mound of treasure. When they approach the mound, however, it reveals itself as the head of the Titan Dweevil and starts to attack.
Venom Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Venom Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia venenum
The Venom Dweevil is a new bluish-green dweevil introduced inPikmin 4, though it shares much with theMunge Dweevil, as it releases poisonous gases on attackers. Also like them, the strategy of usingWhite Pikmin is recommended.Oatchi can also handle them effectively if he has thePup Sniff Saver equipped.
Volatile Dweevil[edit]
- Main article:Volatile Dweevil.
Scientific name:Mandarachnia explodus
Volatile Dweevils prefer to carrybomb-rocks over all other objects; when one sees aleader or Pikmin, it follows it and the bomb-rock's timer starts. When this detonates, the Dweevil is killed, making the best tactic when confronted with one of these to run away. It is also possible to petrify one with anultra-bitter spray and then kill it without it ever exploding. Upon defeat this way, the creature may leave behindnectar, or possibly a spray. These Dweevils commonly drop from ceilings, and they are the only enemy that can die in thePiklopedia inPikmin 2.
Minor glitch[edit]
- Main article:Glitches in Pikmin 2#Zombie_Dweevil.
If a Dweevil ispunched on its last bit ofHP right when it picks up an item, it will remain alive, but with no HP.
Naming[edit]
The name "Dweevil" is a portmanteau of the words "weevil", an insect species, and possibly the word "dwell", referring to their habits underground and in caves. In Japan, smaller dweevils haveショイグモ? in their name, which translates to "carrying spider", referring to their spider-like appearance and how theycarry things in their backs.
The family genus,Mandarachnia, genus refers toArachnida, a real world class that includes spiders. The internal name for each small dweevil uses the wordotakara, which means treasure; again, this refers to their carrying ability.
In the GameCube Interactive Multi-Game Demo Disc Version 18, the genus name used for the dweevils is missing an 'n', making itMandarachia.[1]
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Japanese | ショイグモ科? Shoi gumo ka | Carrying spider family | |
 Chinese(traditional) | 背蛛科 Bèi zhū kē | Therididae | |
 French | araknéaks | ||
 German | Araks | The name comes fromArachnids | |
 Italian | Opiliodi | A variation on "Opiliones", a genus of spider-like arachnids. | |
 Korean | 업어거미 과 Eob-Eogeomi Gwa | Carrying spider family | |
 Portuguese | Aracnarunchídeos | Arachneevilidae | The name is a portmanteau of "Aracno" (arachno),"caruncho" (weevil) and the suffix "-ídeos" (-idae), which is used for naming animal family names |
 Spanish (NoA) | Arañas | Spiders |
Origin[edit]
Despite their name, Dweevils do not resemble real-worldweevils much outside of their antennae or "feelers". They seem to be inspired more bycellar spiders andharvestmen, complete with small bodies and long legs segmented by bead-like joints. These arthropods are often referred to as "daddy long-legs", which is referenced in the names of boss enemies in thearachnorb family, which is similar to the dweevil family.
Trivia[edit]
- When aleader uses theNapsack near a Dweevil, it is possible for the Dweevil to pick him up to mimic him. However, because it runs away from leaders, it won't sit still once it grabs one of them. This can sometimes result ina glitch.
- InPikmin 2, the Dweevils can still kill Pikmin after they die; unlike most enemies, when thehealth circle reaches zero, it will not interrupt an ongoing attack animation.
- InPikmin 4, all Dweevils can carry up to 150 times their own body weight without slowing down, as shown by theKing of Meats in thePiklopedia. In normal gameplay, the heaviest thing they can be seen carrying is the 100 weightedCrimson Banquet in theSerene Shores. InPikmin 2, where small Dweevils have a slightly heavier weight of 3, this title goes to thePossessed Squash in theDream Den on sublevel 8, with a weight of 30.
- In the Japanese version, all small Dweevils are treated as belonging to the same species, and thus have the same Japanese name. Their differing traits and colors are said to develop as they mature.
- On thetitle screen ofPikmin 2's "Summer" theme, one can see some Dweevils scurry along the tree as thecamera moves to the ground. These Dweevils, however, use the same textures asRavenous Whiskerpillars.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Proto:Pikmin 2/Piklopedia Entries on The Cutting Room Floor
