Mitite

The Mitite is a species of Parasitoidic insect native to planet PNF-404. It is the sole member of its family.

Biology and Behavior
Mitites are small, pink mites with a white shell and five legs. Naturally they will swarm in groups of ten, scuttling about their local environment; however they seem to panic at the sight of another Mitite, leaving them in a constant state of swirling chaos. Although unknown as to why, they also send nearby Pikmin into a panic, likely due to their disliking of the species' pheromones. However, Purple Pikmin seem to be immune to this otherwise genus-wide fear.

The only known organisms to be purposefully harmed by a Mitite are the eggs that a female of their species will parasitize by laying their own eggs inside. While the exact purpose of this is not known, it may either be to force another species to care for their larvae in a manner similar to a cuckoo, or instead may be to minimize effort on the mother's behalf and allow her larvae to feast on the yolk of another species' egg instead of having to use her own energy to produce yolks of her own.

Adult Mitites seem to be subterranean in nature, and are known to burrow up to the surface on occasion. They also appear to greatly infest some Raging Long Legs, as they have been witnessed being released from these creatures' bodies upon death.

Mitites feed on the same eggs that they are injected into, and may either produce or also feed upon nectar, which leaks from their bodies upon death without fail, indicating that they likely must constantly feed to always have undigested nectar in their belly if the latter is true. It is possible that their fifth 'leg' is in fact an armored proboscis, used to suck up their supper like soda through a straw.

To breed, a Mitite excretes special pheromones which attract females of specific host species, which then through instinct will swallow these mature Mitites whole. Upon being swallowed, the Mitites will breed and lay their own eggs inside the host's eggs just prior to the host spawning.

These creatures are edible, and may be flash-fried. Legs are generally removed before serving to avoid grossing out dinner guests.

Olimar's Notes
"These parasitic insects feed on eggs. Upon reaching maturity, they excrete a special pheromone that attracts females of particular species, enticing these females to swallow the mitites whole. (Pikmin, however, seem to dislike the scent.) After entering the host female's body, the mitites lay their own eggs inside the host's eggs just prior to the host spawning."

- Olimar

Louie's Notes
"Flash-fry with garlic and red chilis in a hot pan, then sprinkle with grated gorgonzola. Some dinner guests may find the legs unappealing, so it's best to remove them before serving."

- Louie

Appearances

 * Pikmin 2