Mandiblard family
The Mandiblard Family consists of four known species, three of which demonstrate a degree of sexual dimorphism not uncommon to insects. On a whole they have little vitality and are not especially dangerous, but like the Cloaking Burrow-nit, they are infamous for tearing apart nearby stick bridges which Pikmin have built. Due to their general inability to present any danger, these enemies are usually found in groups of 3 or more, and are always buried in the ground, appearing only when a Captain or Pikmin approaches close by.
Male Sheargrubs
- Main article: Male Sheargrub.
Male Sheargrubs have a dark purple shell and large mandibles. They are capable of attacking Olimar and the Pikmin, but are not a serious threat, as they can only eat one Pikmin at a time. In Pikmin, when a Male Sheargrub has a Pikmin in its mouth, it is invulnerable to most attacks and can only be defeated either after it has eaten the Pikmin, or if a Pikmin is thrown directly onto its back. This was fixed in Pikmin 2, allowing players to kill them by any method even if they have a Pikmin in their jaws.
Female Sheargrubs
- Main article: Female Sheargrub.
Female Sheargrubs are a much lighter color than the males and have significantly smaller mandibles, making them unable to cause direct harm to you or your Pikmin, though they are still a menace to bridges. They can be ignored in most situations, perhaps only useful as a means of easy-access Nectar, which they will produce if killed while petrified.
Swarming Sheargrubs
- Main article: Swarming Sheargrub.
Swarming Sheargrubs are a green subspecies of the mandiblard family found only in Pikmin 3. They are encountered usually in groups of 6-8. They can drink Nectar to increase in size and weigh objects down. When attacked the entire group goes into a panic and scatter. Swarming Sheargrubs can't attack you, making it the second member of this family to be completely harmless. It is unknown if they can eat stick bridges since the bridges in Pikmin 3 are made of clay Fragments. Their mandibles are shorter and stubbier than a Female Sheargrub's, but only by a little bit.
Shearwigs
- Main article: Shearwig.
Shearwigs are enemies in both Pikmin games. The females of this species are never seen, as they spend nearly their entire life underground. The males have a dark green shell, sporting simple wings and large, sickle-shaped mouthparts. They are slightly more aggressive than Male Sheargrubs and will fly to safety when their health descends to the yellow zone; up in the air, they regain health. One well-aimed Pikmin will bring a flying Shearwig down for good. Both Sheargrubs and Shearwigs will drown quickly in water, so luring them into a pool is an alternative strategy if you're short of Pikmin.