Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Bugs - Complete Bug List, Bug Tips, Times, Locations And Prices

All the insect info you need to complete your Critterpedia

by Gavin Lane Mon 2nd May 2022

Bug Guide Animal Crossing New Horizons — *Image: Nintendo Life*

Having navigated through the vastness of the internet to this precise page, we're going to guess that you're after information about bugs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Below you will find a complete Animal Crossing: New Horizons insect list and gallery featuring every bug, insect and collectable critter in the game, plus some basic bug-catching tips.

There are a total of 80 bugs to catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The creepy crawlies in this guide are listed in the order they appear in Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Critterpedia, and each entry includes a picture, the time of day/year it is available (in each hemisphere), the spawn location and the selling price you'll get if you take your catch to Nook's Cranny.

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Elsewhere you can find out every creature (including fish) leaving at the end of the month. If you're catching fish, too, you may want to check out our Animal Crossing: New Horizons fish guide with all the same information as below, except for fish and marine life instead of bugs, insects, arachnids and assorted creepy crawlies.

Don't forget to check out our exhaustive Animal Crossing: New Horizons guide for more tips and tricks!

Remember: Certain bugs and fish will be leaving Animal Crossing: New Horizons (temporarily) at the end of the month, so you'll want to catch those before they leave.

How to catch bugs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Equipment you need

To catch bugs you'll need a net. You will need the following ingredients to craft a Flimsy Net:

x5 tree branch

However, serious bug catchers will want to upgrade that to a proper Net. To do so, you'll need:

x1 Flimsy Net
x1 iron nugget

Once you've got the gear, it's time to head out and catch some bugs.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bug Catching Tips

Hold down 'A' to go slow

The vast majority of bugs will scarper if you get too close or run near them, so if you see a bug it is best to ready your net and approach slowly. Holding down the 'A' button will put you into a slow creep and your net will swing when you release the button. Creep up, aim, release. Yes!

Catching Bugs Animal Crossing New Horizons — *Image: Nintendo Life*

Alternatively, hold 'B' to go fast

However, some bugs — wasps, tarantulas and scorpions, for example — won't run away. In fact, they'll give chase and bite/sting you given the opportunity. There'll be no lasting damage beyond a swollen face or a restart at your house, but you'll have missed the opportunity to catch the critter.

Our advice when it comes to these bugs is to be bold. You can run by holding 'B' and putting some distance between you and your prey before turning around and striking with your net. You'll need a good command of the controls, but after a few hours of practice with the net you'll have a much better sense of the timing and the correct swing distance required to bag a bug. You'll still get bitten every so often, but soon you'll be running towards tarantulas when you see them and swiping immediately, as opposed to starting a Benny Hill-style chase around your island.

Where can you find bugs and insects in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Bugs can be found all around the island: sitting on or hiding in trees, hiding under rocks, buzzing around certain items or flowers, skating over the surface of water or simply flying around in the air. We've listed the exact locations you'll be able to find the critters below, along with the specific time of day (and time of year for your hemisphere).

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Complete Bug List - Every insect in the Critterpedia

1. Common Butterfly

Time: 4am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Jun (N) / Mar-Dec (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 160 Bells

2. Yellow Butterfly

Time: 4am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Jun (N) / Mar-Apr, Sep-Dec (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 160 Bells

3. Tiger Butterfly

Time: 4am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Sep (N) / Sep-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 240 Bells

4. Peacock Butterfly

Time: 4am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Jun (N) / Sep-Dec (S)
Location: Air (around hybrid flowers)
Sell price: 2,500 Bells

5. Common Bluebottle

Time: 4am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Aug (N) / Oct-Feb (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 300 Bells

6. Paper Kite Butterfly

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Air
Sell price: 1,000 Bells

7. Great Purple Emperor

Time: 4am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): May-Aug (N) / Dec-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 3,000 Bells

8. Monarch Butterfly

Time: 4am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Nov (N) / Mar-May (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 140 Bells

9. Emperor Butterfly

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jun-Sep, Dec-Mar (both)
Location: Air
Sell price: 4,000 Bells

10. Agrias Butterfly

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Sep (N) / Oct-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 3,000 Bells

11. Rajah Brooke's Birdwing

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Sep, Dec-Feb (N) / Jun-Aug, Oct-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 2,500 Bells

12. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing

Time: 8am - 4pm
Month (Hemisphere): May-Sep (N) / Nov-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 4,000 Bells

13. Moth

Time: 7pm - 4am
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Air (around light sources)
Sell price: 130 Bells

14. Atlas Moth

Time: 7pm - 4am
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Sep (N) / Oct-Mar (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 3,000 Bells

15. Madagascan Sunset Moth

Time: 8am - 4pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Sep (N) / Oct-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 2,500 Bells

16. Long Locust

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Nov (N) / Nov-May (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 200 Bells

17. Migratory Locust

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Aug-Nov (N) / Feb-May (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 600 Bells

18. Rice Grasshopper

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Aug-Nov (N) / Feb-May (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 160 Bells

19. Grasshopper

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Sep (N) / Jan-Mar (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 160 Bells

20. Cricket

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Nov (N) / Mar-May (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 130 Bells

21. Bell Cricket

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Oct (N) / Mar-Apr (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 430 Bells

22. Mantis

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Nov (N) / Sep-May (S)
Location: On flowers
Sell price: 430 Bells

23. Orchid Mantis

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Nov (N) / Sep-May (S)
Location: On flowers (white)
Sell price: 2,400 Bells

24. Honeybee

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Jul (N) / Sep-Jan (S)
Location: Air (around flowers)
Sell price: 200 Bells

25. Wasp

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Trees (shake them)
Sell price: 2,500 Bells

26. Brown Cicada

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 250 Bells

27. Robust Cicada

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 300 Bells

28. Giant Cicada

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 500 Bells

29. Walker Cicada

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Aug-Sep (N) / Feb-Mar (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 400 Bells

30. Evening Cicada

Time: 4am - 8am, 4pm - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 550 Bells

31. Cicada Shell

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 10 Bells

32. Red Dragonfly

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Oct (N) / Mar-Apr (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 180 Bells

33. Darner Dragonfly

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Oct (N) / Oct-Apr (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 230 Bells

34. Banded Dragonfly

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): May-Oct (N) / Nov-Apr (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 4,500 Bells

35. Damselfly

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Nov-Feb (N) / May-Aug (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 500 Bells

36. Firefly

Time: 7pm - 4am
Month (Hemisphere): Jun (N) / Dec (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 300 Bells

37. Mole Cricket

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Nov-May (N) / May-Nov (S)
Location: Underground (move to where it is loudest and dig)
Sell price: 500 Bells

38. Pondskater

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): May-Sep (N) / Nov-Mar (S)
Location: On ponds
Sell price: 130 Bells

39. Diving Beetle

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): May-Sep (N) / Nov-Mar (S)
Location: On ponds and rivers
Sell price: 800 Bells

40. Giant Water Bug

Time: 8am - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Sep (N) / Oct-Mar (S)
Location: On ponds and rivers
Sell price: 2,000 Bells

41. Stinkbug

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Oct (N) / Sep-Apr (S)
Location: Flowers
Sell price: 120 Bells

42. Man-faced Stink Bug

Time: 7pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Oct (N) / Sep-Apr (S)
Location: Flowers
Sell price: 1,000 Bells

43. Ladybug

Time: 8am - 5pm
Month (Hemisphere): Mar-Jun, Oct (N) / Sep-Dec, Apr (S)
Location: Flowers
Sell price: 200 Bells

44. Tiger Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Feb-Nov (N) / Aug-Apr (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 1,500 Bells

45. Jewel Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Aug (N) / Oct-Feb (S)
Location: Tree stumps
Sell price: 2,400 Bells

46. Violin Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): May-Jun, Sep-Nov (N) / Nov-Dec, Mar-May (S)
Location: Tree stumps
Sell price: 450 Bells

47. Citrus Long-horned Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Tree stumps
Sell price: 350 Bells

48. Rosalia Batesi Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): May-Sep (N) / Nov-Mar (S)
Location: Tree stumps
Sell price: 3,000 Bells

49. Blue Weevil Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 800 Bells

50. Dung Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Dec-Feb (N) / Jun-Aug (S)
Location: Ground (rolling snowballs)
Sell price: 3,000 Bells

51. Earth-boring Dung Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Sep (N) / Jan-Mar (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 300 Bells

52. Scarab Beetle

Time: 11pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 10,000 Bells

53. Drone Beetle

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jun-Aug (N) / Dec-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 200 Bells

54. Goliath Beetle

54. Golaiath Beetle Animal Crossing New Horizons Bug — *Image: Nintendo Life*

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jun-Sep (N) / Dec-Mar (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 8,000 Bells

55. Saw Stag

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 2,000 Bells

56. Miyama Stag

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 1,000 Bells

57. Giant Stag

Time: 11pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 10,000 Bells

58. Rainbow Stag

Time: 7pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jun-Sep (N) / Dec-Mar (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 6,000 Bells

59. Cyclommatus Stag

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 8,000 Bells

60. Golden Stag

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 12,000 Bells

61. Giraffe Stag

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 12,000 Bells

62. Horned Dynastid

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 1,350 Bells

63. Horned Atlas

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 8,000 Bells

64. Horned Elephant

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 8,000 Bells

65. Horned Herucles

65. Horned Hercules Animal Crossing New Horizons Bug — *Image: Nintendo Life*

Time: 5pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Feb (S)
Location: On palm trees
Sell price: 12,000 Bells

66. Walking Stick

Time: 4am - 8am, 5pm - 7pm
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Nov (N) / Jan-May (S)
Location: On trees
Sell price: 600 Bells

67. Walking Leaf

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Jul-Aug (N) / Jan-Mar (S)
Location: Around trees (camouflaged as a furniture leaf)
Sell price: 600 Bells

68. Bagworm

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Trees (shake them)
Sell price: 600 Bells

69. Ant

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Ground (attracted by spoiled turnips)
Sell price: 80 Bells

70. Hermit Crab

Time: 7pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Beach
Sell price: 1,000 Bells

71. Wharf Roach

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Rocky headland on the beach
Sell price: 200 Bells

72. Fly

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: On rubbish items
Sell price: 60 Bells

73. Mosquito

Time: 5pm - 4am
Month (Hemisphere): Jun-Sep (N) / Dec-Mar (S)
Location: Air
Sell price: 130 Bells

74. Flea

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): Apr-Nov (N) / Oct-May (S)
Location: On island residents
Sell price: 70 Bells

75. Snail

Time: All day and night
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: On rocks or shrubs (when it rains)
Sell price: 250 Bells

76. Pill Bug

Time: 11pm - 4pm
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Jun (N) / Mar-Dec (S)
Location: Rocks (hit them)
Sell price: 250 Bells

77. Centipede

Time: 4pm - 11pm
Month (Hemisphere): Sep-Jun (N) / Mar-Dec (S)
Location: Rocks (hit them)
Sell price: 300 Bells

78. Spider

Time: 7pm - 8am
Month (Hemisphere): All year
Location: Trees (shake them)
Sell price: 480 Bells

79. Tarantula

Time: 7pm - 4am
Month (Hemisphere): Nov-Apr (N) / May-Oct (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 8,000 Bells

80. Scorpion

Time: 7pm - 4am
Month (Hemisphere): May-Oct (N) / Nov-Apr (S)
Location: Ground
Sell price: 8,000 Bells

Good luck with your bug catching and general entomological entertainment! Feel free to post any missing information (preferably with a screenshot) in the comments below and help us fill out this big ol' bug list.

This article is part of our Animal Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Complete Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bug, we can tell you how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Golden Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a full list of Critters leaving at the end of the month. We've also compiled a Complete Villager List and a Complete List of K.K. Slider Songs, as well as the Best Custom Design Codes and Islands we've found so far, and the best islands to visit using Dream Address Codes.

We can also help with How to Spot Redd's Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Label, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Down and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Island, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.

And finally Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game.

1
USWITCH64
Wed 25th Mar 2020

What time does the Texananus come out to play?

2
Alpha008
Thu 26th Mar 2020

You guys need a Southern Hemisphere correspondent

3
dartmonkey
Thu 26th Mar 2020

@Alpha008 We've got one! He's just provided us with a bunch of critter shots - halfway there now

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