User blog comment:StagedDom19/Missing the Main Problem/@comment-5124348-20120710142656/@comment-4953843-20120710191024

"swarms" is a broad definition. so does "collector".

the existence of collectors after the omega-4 base is destroyed is just analogous to the existence of geth/rachni/cerberus holdouts even after whatever you did to their central governing authorities: weakened. so in some alternate reality where shepard never went after the collectors by the time the reapers rolled in harvesting worlds have never been easier thanks to the magic abduction bugs.

as to my other point, if you can't see it i can't help you. the answer's literally staring at you in the face.

hint: brain cells, collectors, parts of a greater whole, perspective.