Skeeter
Skeeters are giant bugs that float on top of the water that were first introduced in Super Mario 64. They have appeared in most of Mario's 3-D adventures, they are related to the Scuttle Bug. Skeeters may not actually be enemies as they do not chase Mario or hurt him on purpose (unless Mario lowers them onto dry land).
In Super Mario 64 they are seen on the painting of Wet-Dry World and also are enemies floating aimlessly on the water in Wet-Dry World and Dire Dire Docks. When Jumped on, Mario get an extra high jump which is useful in reaching high ledges. They look like big blue spiders that plate webbings on their feet and an antennae on its back. If killed, they release three Coins. In Wet-Dry World, they can be lowered onto a platform. When they see Mario, they do get mad for him taking them off the water, and home in on him.
Skeeters can be seen in Mario Party 3 in a background of a level. They do not even move and are not important.
Skeeters reappeared in Super Mario Sunshine, but they are referred to as Pondskaters in this game. They follow a similar design to their Super Mario 64 cousins with sharp tipped legs and are found in Bianco Hills. When jumped on, Mario propelled upward to a height rivaling the Rocket Nozzle. Also, they are resistant to F.L.U.D.D, as spraying them only made them stop moving for a very short while. The only way to defeat them was to bring a Yoshi while riding on a lily pad and eat them.
In Super Mario 64 DS, Skeeters were found in the same places as in Super Mario 64, but are blue with yellow-tipped legs, the angler on their head is red instead of orange, and they have black eyes here. 3 Coins are again released for their death. Again, they only home in on the heroes if they were lowered onto land.
Skeeters made another reappearance in New Super Mario Bros., but they received an another overhaul in appearance; they are now fat and red, instead of gangly-legged and blue. They appeared in two levels, 3-A and 8-2. They skated aimlessly across the water, and drop Skull Bombs, which actually do not explode unless they hit something, and the explosion could destroy blocks. The Skull Bombs are in fact helpful, as they gave access to two Star Coins (one normally, and one mini pipe, which held one). They and their Skull Bombs only release Coins if Fire Flowered. In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Skeeters reappear with their appearance from New Super Mario Bros. and are found in an icy galaxy where they could be frozen.
Trivia
- Skeeters are based off a real-world bug known as the water strider.
