How to Catch Bugs | List of Rare Bugs

This is a guide to catching bugs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) for Nintendo Switch. This guide will cover the techniques of catching all types of bugs, including bugs on trees, flying bugs, bugs in the ground, as well as bugs on water and more. Read on to learn how to become a bug catching master!

This guide will also cover rare bugs found in several different habitats.

How to Catch Bugs

Step	Direction
1.	Always keep your net equipped
2.	Slowly approach bugs that flee easily

1. Always keep your net equipped

You never know when the bug you are searching for might just pop out in front of you on its own. If a tarantula or scorpion shows up and you don't have your net ready, you could potentially get stung, which will send you home!

2. Slowly approach bugs that run away easily

Many rare bugs are quick to flee, so you need to approach them slowly and quietly. You can hold A and move to hold up your net and move slowly.

How to Catch Dangerous Bugs

When trying to catch dangerous bugs, such as scorpions or tarantulas, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Step	Direction
1.	Have your net ready beforehand
2.	Approach them slowly
3.	Tarantulas and Scorpions will raise their body and threaten you
4.	Catch them while their body is raised

This is the easiest way to catch this type of bug. However, if they do chase you, you can still catch them by keeping a fixed space in between you and the bug, then turning around and catching it with good timing.

For a more detailed explanation on how to catch each of these, see the pages below.

Dangerous Bugs Related Links
Scorpion	Tarantula	Wasp

How to Catch Bugs on Trees

When trying to catch bugs that can be found on trees like (Horned Dynastids and Golden Stags), here are a few things to remember:

Step	Direction
1.	Have your net ready beforehand
2.	Hold A and walk forward
3.	Slowly approach the bug until you are close
4.	Once the bug is within catching range of the net, release A and catch the bug

Golden stags and Horned Hercules are very rare, so if you come across one, be sure and catch it!

How to Catch Rare Bugs on Trees

Bug Name	Rarity
Golden Stag	★★★★★
Horned Hercules	★★★★☆
Horned Elephant	★★★☆☆
Horned Atlas	★★★☆☆
Cyclomatus Stag	★★★☆☆
Goliath Beetle	★★★☆☆
Scarab Beetle	★★★☆☆

How to Catch Underground Bugs (Mole Cricket)

The Mole Cricket can be found buried underground. When trying to catch a Mole Cricket, you will need to listen for its sound.

Step	Direction
1.	Turn your Switch's sound on and walk around your island, listening for a buzzing sound
2.	Approach the sound until the buzz becomes louder
3.	Use your shovel to dig up the ground
4.	The Mole Cricket will come out of the ground, so swap out for your net and catch it

The Mole Cricket can be tough to find, so be sure and keep your sound on.

Rare Bugs Found Underground

Bug Name	Rarity
Mole Cricket	★★☆☆☆

How to Catch Bugs on the Ground

For bugs like the Long Locust and Grasshopper, which can be found on the ground:

Step	Direction
1.	Have your net out beforehand
2.	Approach it and press A

And that's it. If one of these bugs runs into the water, you won't be able to catch it anymore, so be careful that they don't go in.

Rare Bugs on the Ground

Bug Name	Rarity
Tiger Beetle	★★☆☆☆

How to Catch Bugs that Inhabit Water

For bugs that can be found on water, simply:

Step	Direction
1.	Have your net out beforehand
2.	Approach it and press A

And that's it! Unlike bugs that rest on trees, bugs on water don't really run away, making them pretty easy to catch.

How to Catch Bugs that Fly

For bugs that fly, such as Butterflies and Dragonflies, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Step	Direction
1.	Have your net out beforehand
2.	Approach it and press A

That's it. Much like bugs that can be found in the water, these bugs can't really run away, so they are pretty easy to catch.

Rare Flying Bugs

Bug Name	Rarity
Banded Dragonfly	★★☆☆☆
Emperor Butterfly	★☆☆☆☆

Tips & Tricks for Catching Bugs

Check the Bug's Dates and Times

Any bug which has been previously caught will appear in the game's Critterpedia, where you can check the seasons and times when it appears. The Current Active Hours, referring to the times a bug appears, will change month by month, so be sure to check again each month to see if they have changed.

If you haven't caught a Bug before and want to check its information, consult our complete Bug Encyclopedia with information for each Bug and how to catch it.

Complete List of Bugs

List of Bug Locations

Although unlike Fish, they are not listed in the Critterpedia, each Bug also has a specific habitat. As there's no way to find this information within the game, the locations and conditions to catch each Bug can be checked in our Bug Encyclopedia.

Enlarge Flying	Enlarge On a tree	Enlarge On the ground
Enlarge On a stump	Enlarge On a flower	Enlarge On the water
Enlarge In the snow	Enlarge By shaking a tree	Enlarge Special condition

Click one of the images above to enlarge.

Some Bugs appear under special conditions

Look carefully at this Villager's head!

Not all Bugs can be caught simply by searching the island at the matching season and time. Some bugs have special conditions to obtain, such as Ants, which require Rotten Turnips to be left outside to appear, and Fleas, which sometimes appear gracing the heads of other Villagers.

If there's a Bug you can't find, be sure to check if it has a special condition to appear first.

Bugs Related Links

Bug Encyclopedia

Bug Pages
How to Catch Bugs | List of Rare Bugs
Bug Prices List
Beetles	Stags	Butterflies
Dragonflies	Moths	Grasshoppers
Crickets	Mantises	Cicadas
Dangerous Bugs	Others	-