Skitter Leaf

Skitter Leaf
Appears in	Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3
Scientific name	Rus pseudoarbicans
Family	Skitterling
Areas	Perplexing Pool
Caves	Citadel of Spiders, Hole of Heroes
Challenge Mode stages	None
Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages	None
Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages	None
Side Story days	None
2-Player Battle stages	None
Bingo Battle stages	None
Attacks	None

The Skitter Leaf is an enemy in Pikmin 2 that highly resembles a green leaf. These creatures remain camouflaged on the ground until approached, at which time they attempt to flee with a cricket-like chirp. However, their range is relatively short, and they cannot go much farther than where they are first encountered. They are somewhat rare, usually located in very fertile places, such as near or in water or foliage. When a corpse of a Skitter Leaf is carried back to a onion, it will plant one Pikmin seed; whenever a corpse is carried to the Research pod, it will give one Poko. For this reason, most consider it to be a waste of time to kill and return to the Onion or the Research Pod.

Artwork of a Skitter Leaf.

Notes

Olimar's notes

“The skitter leaf is a relative of the pond skater that shed its wings and adapted to life on the ground. With no residual traits of its airborne past, the skitter leaf can neither fly nor skit across the surface of the water. The wings have since evolved into the leaflike structure on its back, which serves to hide the skitter leaf through mimicry. It appears quite effective, as few predators can see through this clever disguise.”

Louie's notes

“The superb amalgamation of juicy meat and leafy greens ensures that the skitter leaf will be the new spinach!”

Killing Strategy

Swarm it with Pikmin, or toss one directly onto its back; Purple Pikmin work especially well for the latter method. It has low vitality and can also be easily defeated by captains. Captains can be harmed by it, and it will shake any attacking Pikmin off when given the chance, which usually knocks off their flowers or buds. This enemy cannot be petrified when it hides on the ground, only when it is up and active.

Glitch

There are rare occasions where one will duck right when it loses all its health, causing it to be rendered unable to die until a captain approaches it.

Trivia

In recently released footage of Pikmin 3, the Skitter Lead has been shown as a returning enemy, and appears to be similarly harmless. However, a new leaf enemy that highly resembles a Skitter Leaf has been shown. This enemy resembles a dead leaf instead of a healthy, green leaf. It also has been shown to have the ability to kill Pikmin, as a Pikmin ghost can be made out in the footage.