You may not like all of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons bugs and creepy crawlies you can find on your islands, but knowing where and when they appear so you can catch them is essential for filling up your museum to “complete” that part of the game. However, this task isn’t as straightforward as it may sound at first, because some bugs only appear during certain seasons and others are incredibly skittish so hide away in specific types of cover. Your reward for catching all of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons bugs is the coveted gold net recipe, along with building up a well-stocked museum display, so it’s worth putting the time in to fill out your collection.
The availability of each bug species depends on which part of the world you’re in, as well as the season and time of day. With that in mind, we’ve been working across two islands to try and bring you the most complete Animal Crossing: New Horizons bug guide to date, divided up by hemisphere (north and south).
Skip to the right section for you below:
Animal Crossing New Horizons Northern Hemisphere bugs
Animal Crossing New Horizons Southern Hemisphere bugs
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bugs – Northern Hemisphere
Animal Crossing: New Horizons divides the habits of its bugs depending on whether you’re North or South of the Equator. We’ll cover the North first, but you can always just skip down to find the South beneath it.
Animal Crossing New Horizons Northern Hemisphere bugs
Common ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PM Flowers
Yellow ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct4AM – 7PM Flying
Tiger ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept4AM – 7PMFlying
Peacock ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun4AM – 7PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)
Common BluebottleApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug4AM – 7PMFlying
Paper Kite ButterflyAll months9AM – 7PMFlying
Great Purple EmperorMay, Jun, Jul, Aug4AM – 7PMFlying
Monarch ButterflySept, Oct, Nov4AM – 5PMFlying
Emperor ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Dec5PM – 8AMFlying
Agrias ButterflyApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 5PMFlying
Rajah Brooke’s BirdwingJan, Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)
Queen Alexandra’s BirdwingMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 4PMFlying
MothAll months7PM – 4AMAround light
Atlas MothApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept7PM – 4AMOn trees
Madagascan Sunset MothApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 4PM Flying
Long LocustApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 7PMIn grass
Migratory LocustAug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 7PMIn grass
Rice GrasshopperAug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 7PMIn grass
GrasshopperJul, Aug, Sept8AM – 5PMIn grass
CricketSept, Oct, Nov5PM – 8AMIn grass
Bell CricketSept, Oct5PM – 8AMIn grass
MantisMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 5PMFlowers
Orchid MantisMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 5PMFlowers
HoneybeeMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul8AM – 5PMFlowers
WaspAll monthsAll hoursShaking trees
Brown CicadaJul, Aug8AM – 5PMOn trees
Robust CicadaJul, Aug8AM – 5PMOn trees
Giant CicadaJul, Aug8AM – 5PMOn trees
Walker CicadaAug, Sept8AM – 4PMOn trees
Evening CicadaJul, Aug4AM – 8AM, 4PM – 7PMOn trees
Cicada ShellJul, AugAll hoursOn trees
Red DragonflySept, Oct8AM – 7PMFlying
Darner DragonflyApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct8AM – 5PMFlying
Banded DragonflyMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct8AM – 5PMFlying
DamselflyJan, Feb, Nov, DecAll hoursFlying
FireflyJun7PM – 4AMAbove freshwater
Mole CricketJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, DecAll hoursUnderground
PondskaterMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 7PMIn rivers
Diving BeetleMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 7PMIn rivers
Giant Water BeetleMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept7PM – 8AMPonds and rivers
StinkbugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursOn trees
Man-faced Stink BugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct7PM – 8AM Flowers
LadybugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct8AM – 5PM Flowers
Tiger BeetleFeb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursFlying
Jewel BeetleApr, May, Jun, Jul, AugAll hoursOn trees
Citrus Long-horned BeetleAll monthsAll hours Tree stumps
Rosalia Batesi BeetleMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursTree stumps
Blue Weevil BeetleJul, AugAll hoursOn trees
Violin BeetleMay, Jun, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursOn trees
Dung BeetleJan, Feb, DecAll hoursGround
Earth-boring Dung BeetleJul, Aug, SeptAll hoursGround
Scarab BeetleJul, Aug11PM – 8AMOn trees
Drone BeetleJun, Jul, AugAll hoursOn trees
Goliath BeetleJun, Jul, Aug, Sept5PM – 8AMOn trees
Saw StagJul, AugAll hoursOn trees
Miyama StagJul, AugAll hoursOn trees
Giant StagJul, Aug11PM – 8AMOn trees
Rainbow StagJun, Jul, Aug, Sept7PM – 8AMOn trees
Cyclommatus StagJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Golden StagJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Giraffe StagJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned DynastidJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned AtlasJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned ElephantJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned HerculesJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees
Walking StickJul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov4AM – 8AM, 5PM – 7PMOn trees
Walking LeafJul, Aug, SeptAll hoursOn ground by trees
BagwormAll monthsAll hoursShaking trees
AntAll monthsAll hoursOn rotten turnips and fruit
Hermit CrabAll months7PM – 8AM On beach
Wharf RoachAll monthsAll hoursOn beach rocks
FlyAll monthsAll hoursOn rotten food and garbage
MosquitoJun, Jul, Aug, Sept5PM – 4AMFlying
FleaApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursOn flea-infested villagers
SnailAll monthsAll hours On rocks
PillbugJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec11PM – 4PMHitting rocks
CentipedeJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4PM – 11PM Hitting rocks
SpiderAll months7PM – 8AM Shaking trees
TarantulaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec7PM – 4AM Ground
ScorpionMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct7PM – 4AMGround
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bugs – Southern Hemisphere
Now we’ll cover insect patterns in the Southern side of the world, which don’t tend to overlap with the Northern patterns, barring a few outliers and exceptions. Work through the year and you should come away with a full collection for the Museum!
Animal Crossing New Horizons Southern Hemisphere bugs
Common ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlowers
Yellow ButterflyMar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlying
Tiger ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlying
Peacock ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun4AM – 7PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)
Common BluebottleJan, Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlying
Paper Kite ButterflyAll months8AM – 7PM (April)Flying
Great Purple EmperorMay, Jun, Jul, Aug4AM – 7PMFlying
Monarch ButterflyMar, Apr, May4AM – 5PMFlying
Emperor ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Dec5PM – 8AMFlying
Agrias ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlying
Rajah Brooke’s BirdwingJan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)
Queen Alexandra’s BirdwingJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec8AM – 4PMFlying
MothAll year round7PM – 4AMAround light
Atlas MothJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec7PM – 4AMOn trees
Madagascan Sunset MothJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 4PMFlying
Long LocustJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 7PMIn grass
Migratory LocustFeb, Mar, Apr, May8AM – 7PMIn grass
Rice GrasshopperFeb, Mar, Apr, May8AM – 7PM In grass
GrasshopperJan, Feb, Mar8AM – 5PMIn grass
CricketMar, Apr, May5PM – 8AMIn grass
Bell CricketMar, Apr5PM – 8AMIn grass
MantisJan, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PM Flowers
Orchid MantisJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers
HoneybeeJan, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers
WaspAll monthsAll hoursShaking trees
Brown CicadaJan, Feb8AM – 5PMOn trees
Robust CicadaJan, Feb8AM – 5PMOn trees
Giant CicadaJan, Feb8AM – 5PMOn trees
Walker CicadaFeb, Mar8AM – 4PMOn trees
Evening CicadaJan, Feb4AM – 8AM, 4PM – 7PMOn trees
Cicada ShellJan, FebAll hoursOn trees
Red DragonflyMar, Apr8AM – 7PM Flying
Darner DragonflyJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlying
Banded DragonflyJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PM Flying
DamselflyMay, Jun, Jul, AugAll hoursFlying
FireflyDec7PM – 4AMAbove freshwater
Mole CricketMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursUnderground
PondskaterJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec8AM – 7PMIn rivers
Diving BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec8AM – 7PMIn rivers
Giant Water BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec7PM – 8AMPonds and rivers
StinkbugJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursOn trees
Man-faced Stink BugJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec7PM – 8AM Flowers
LadybugApr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PM Flowers
Tiger BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursFlying
Jewel BeetleJan, Feb, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursOn trees
Citrus Long-horned BeetleAll monthsAll hoursTree stumps
Rosalia Batesi BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, DecAll hoursTree stumps
Blue Weevil BeetleJan, FebAll hoursOn trees
Violin BeetleMar, Apr, May, Nov, DecAll hoursOn trees
Dung BeetleJun, Jul, AugAll hoursGround
Earth-boring Dung BeetleJan, Feb, MarAll hoursGround
Scarab BeetleJan, Feb11PM – 8AMOn trees
Drone BeetleJan, Feb, DecAll hoursOn trees
Goliath BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec5PM – 8AMOn trees
Saw StagJan, FebAll hoursOn trees
Miyama StagJan, FebAll hoursOn trees
Giant StagJan, Feb11PM – 8AMOn trees
Rainbow StagJan, Feb, Mar, Dec7PM – 8AMOn trees
Cyclommatus StagJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Golden StagJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Giraffe StagJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned DynastidJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned AtlasJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned ElephantJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Horned HerculesJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees
Walking StickJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May4AM – 8AM, 5PM – 7PMOn trees
Walking LeafJan, Feb, MarAll hours On ground by trees
BagwormAll monthsAll hours Shaking trees
AntAll monthsAll hours On rotten turnips and fruit
Hermit CrabAll months7PM – 8AMOn beach
Wharf RoachAll monthsAll hoursOn beach rocks
FlyAll monthsAll hoursOn rotten food and garbage
MosquitoJan, Feb, Mar, Dec5PM – 4AMFlying
FleaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursOn flea-infested villagers
SnailAll monthsAll hours On rocks
PillbugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec11AM – 4PM Hitting rocks
CentipedeMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Nov, Dec5PM – 11PMHitting rocks
SpiderAll months7PM – 8AM Shaking trees
TarantulaMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct7PM – 4AMGround
ScorpionJan, Feb, Mar, Dec7PM – 4AMGround
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