Whirlipede is an insectoid Pokémon encased in a hard, segmented shell. It has two pairs of gray, horn-like feelers with dark gray stripes, with one pair extended upward from its front and the other pointing downward from its lower rear. Two poisonous barbs flank either side of each segment of its shell. The shell itself is gray, with red rings in the middle of each segment and a darker gray border circling its open center. Whirlipede's eyes can be seen within the center, and have slitted pupils, yellow sclerae, and thick, gray eyelids. Whirlipede remains motionless while storing energy for evolution, but will move to stab approaching predators with its poisonous spikes. If attacked, it can quickly spin its body like a wheel and crash furiously into opponents.
Like Spinda, its base stat total might be based on the fact that it and Spinda usually spin in circles, which are 360 degrees.
Despite the Scolipede line and Centiskorch line living in different parts of the Galar region, both Venipede's and Scoliopede's Pokédexes speak of their hostile relationship.
Whirlipede may be based on centipedes and on curled up pill millipedes, roly poly like arthropods that curl up into a ball when in danger. It also resembles a rubber tire.
Name origin
Whirlipede is a combination of whirl and centipede or millipede.
Wheega is a combination of wheel and 毬 iga (sphere).