Animal Crossing: New Horizons bugs and where to catch them

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

Drag and scroll to move left and right. Name Seasonality (North Hem) Availability Location 1

Common ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PM Flowers

2

Yellow ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct4AM – 7PM Flying

3

Tiger ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept4AM – 7PMFlying

4

Peacock ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun4AM – 7PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)

5

Common BluebottleApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug4AM – 7PMFlying

6

Paper Kite ButterflyAll months9AM – 7PMFlying

7

Great Purple EmperorMay, Jun, Jul, Aug4AM – 7PMFlying

8

Monarch ButterflySept, Oct, Nov4AM – 5PMFlying

9

Emperor ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Dec5PM – 8AMFlying

10

Agrias ButterflyApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 5PMFlying

11

Rajah Brooke’s BirdwingJan, Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)

12

Queen Alexandra’s BirdwingMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 4PMFlying

13

MothAll months7PM – 4AMAround light

14

Atlas MothApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept7PM – 4AMOn trees

15

Madagascan Sunset MothApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 4PM Flying

16

Long LocustApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 7PMIn grass

17

Migratory LocustAug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 7PMIn grass

18

Rice GrasshopperAug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 7PMIn grass

19

GrasshopperJul, Aug, Sept8AM – 5PMIn grass

20

CricketSept, Oct, Nov5PM – 8AMIn grass

21

Bell CricketSept, Oct5PM – 8AMIn grass

22

MantisMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 5PMFlowers

23

Orchid MantisMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov8AM – 5PMFlowers

24

HoneybeeMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul8AM – 5PMFlowers

25

WaspAll monthsAll hoursShaking trees

26

Brown CicadaJul, Aug8AM – 5PMOn trees

27

Robust CicadaJul, Aug8AM – 5PMOn trees

28

Giant CicadaJul, Aug8AM – 5PMOn trees

29

Walker CicadaAug, Sept8AM – 4PMOn trees

30

Evening CicadaJul, Aug4AM – 8AM, 4PM – 7PMOn trees

31

Cicada ShellJul, AugAll hoursOn trees

32

Red DragonflySept, Oct8AM – 7PMFlying

33

Darner DragonflyApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct8AM – 5PMFlying

34

Banded DragonflyMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct8AM – 5PMFlying

35

DamselflyJan, Feb, Nov, DecAll hoursFlying

36

FireflyJun7PM – 4AMAbove freshwater

37

Mole CricketJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, DecAll hoursUnderground

38

PondskaterMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 7PMIn rivers

39

Diving BeetleMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept8AM – 7PMIn rivers

40

Giant Water BeetleMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept7PM – 8AMPonds and rivers

41

StinkbugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursOn trees

42

Man-faced Stink BugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct7PM – 8AM Flowers

43

LadybugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct8AM – 5PM Flowers

44

Tiger BeetleFeb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursFlying

45

Jewel BeetleApr, May, Jun, Jul, AugAll hoursOn trees

46

Citrus Long-horned BeetleAll monthsAll hours Tree stumps

47

Rosalia Batesi BeetleMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursTree stumps

48

Blue Weevil BeetleJul, AugAll hoursOn trees

49

Violin BeetleMay, Jun, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursOn trees

50

Dung BeetleJan, Feb, DecAll hoursGround

51

Earth-boring Dung BeetleJul, Aug, SeptAll hoursGround

52

Scarab BeetleJul, Aug11PM – 8AMOn trees

53

Drone BeetleJun, Jul, AugAll hoursOn trees

54

Goliath BeetleJun, Jul, Aug, Sept5PM – 8AMOn trees

55

Saw StagJul, AugAll hoursOn trees

56

Miyama StagJul, AugAll hoursOn trees

57

Giant StagJul, Aug11PM – 8AMOn trees

58

Rainbow StagJun, Jul, Aug, Sept7PM – 8AMOn trees

59

Cyclommatus StagJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

60

Golden StagJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

61

Giraffe StagJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

62

Horned DynastidJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

63

Horned AtlasJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

64

Horned ElephantJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

65

Horned HerculesJul, Aug5PM – 8AMOn trees

66

Walking StickJul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov4AM – 8AM, 5PM – 7PMOn trees

67

Walking LeafJul, Aug, SeptAll hoursOn ground by trees

68

BagwormAll monthsAll hoursShaking trees

69

AntAll monthsAll hoursOn rotten turnips and fruit

70

Hermit CrabAll months7PM – 8AM On beach

71

Wharf RoachAll monthsAll hoursOn beach rocks

72

FlyAll monthsAll hoursOn rotten food and garbage

73

MosquitoJun, Jul, Aug, Sept5PM – 4AMFlying

74

FleaApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursOn flea-infested villagers

75

SnailAll monthsAll hours On rocks

76

PillbugJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec11PM – 4PMHitting rocks

77

CentipedeJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4PM – 11PM Hitting rocks

78

SpiderAll months7PM – 8AM Shaking trees

79

TarantulaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec7PM – 4AM Ground

80

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

Drag and scroll to move left and right. Name Seasonality (South Hem) Availability Location 1

Common ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlowers

2

Yellow ButterflyMar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlying

3

Tiger ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlying

4

Peacock ButterflyMar, Apr, May, Jun4AM – 7PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)

5

Common BluebottleJan, Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec4AM – 7PMFlying

6

Paper Kite ButterflyAll months8AM – 7PM (April)Flying

7

Great Purple EmperorMay, Jun, Jul, Aug4AM – 7PMFlying

8

Monarch ButterflyMar, Apr, May4AM – 5PMFlying

9

Emperor ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Dec5PM – 8AMFlying

10

Agrias ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlying

11

Rajah Brooke’s BirdwingJan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers (Blue, Black, Purple)

12

Queen Alexandra’s BirdwingJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec8AM – 4PMFlying

13

MothAll year round7PM – 4AMAround light

14

Atlas MothJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec7PM – 4AMOn trees

15

Madagascan Sunset MothJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 4PMFlying

16

Long LocustJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 7PMIn grass

17

Migratory LocustFeb, Mar, Apr, May8AM – 7PMIn grass

18

Rice GrasshopperFeb, Mar, Apr, May8AM – 7PM In grass

19

GrasshopperJan, Feb, Mar8AM – 5PMIn grass

20

CricketMar, Apr, May5PM – 8AMIn grass

21

Bell CricketMar, Apr5PM – 8AMIn grass

22

MantisJan, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PM Flowers

23

Orchid MantisJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers

24

HoneybeeJan, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlowers

25

WaspAll monthsAll hoursShaking trees

26

Brown CicadaJan, Feb8AM – 5PMOn trees

27

Robust CicadaJan, Feb8AM – 5PMOn trees

28

Giant CicadaJan, Feb8AM – 5PMOn trees

29

Walker CicadaFeb, Mar8AM – 4PMOn trees

30

Evening CicadaJan, Feb4AM – 8AM, 4PM – 7PMOn trees

31

Cicada ShellJan, FebAll hoursOn trees

32

Red DragonflyMar, Apr8AM – 7PM Flying

33

Darner DragonflyJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PMFlying

34

Banded DragonflyJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PM Flying

35

DamselflyMay, Jun, Jul, AugAll hoursFlying

36

FireflyDec7PM – 4AMAbove freshwater

37

Mole CricketMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursUnderground

38

PondskaterJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec8AM – 7PMIn rivers

39

Diving BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec8AM – 7PMIn rivers

40

Giant Water BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec7PM – 8AMPonds and rivers

41

StinkbugJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursOn trees

42

Man-faced Stink BugJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec7PM – 8AM Flowers

43

LadybugApr, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec8AM – 5PM Flowers

44

Tiger BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursFlying

45

Jewel BeetleJan, Feb, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursOn trees

46

Citrus Long-horned BeetleAll monthsAll hoursTree stumps

47

Rosalia Batesi BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, DecAll hoursTree stumps

48

Blue Weevil BeetleJan, FebAll hoursOn trees

49

Violin BeetleMar, Apr, May, Nov, DecAll hoursOn trees

50

Dung BeetleJun, Jul, AugAll hoursGround

51

Earth-boring Dung BeetleJan, Feb, MarAll hoursGround

52

Scarab BeetleJan, Feb11PM – 8AMOn trees

53

Drone BeetleJan, Feb, DecAll hoursOn trees

54

Goliath BeetleJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec5PM – 8AMOn trees

55

Saw StagJan, FebAll hoursOn trees

56

Miyama StagJan, FebAll hoursOn trees

57

Giant StagJan, Feb11PM – 8AMOn trees

58

Rainbow StagJan, Feb, Mar, Dec7PM – 8AMOn trees

59

Cyclommatus StagJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

60

Golden StagJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

61

Giraffe StagJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

62

Horned DynastidJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

63

Horned AtlasJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

64

Horned ElephantJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

65

Horned HerculesJan, Feb5PM – 8AMOn trees

66

Walking StickJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May4AM – 8AM, 5PM – 7PMOn trees

67

Walking LeafJan, Feb, MarAll hours On ground by trees

68

BagwormAll monthsAll hours Shaking trees

69

AntAll monthsAll hours On rotten turnips and fruit

70

Hermit CrabAll months7PM – 8AMOn beach

71

Wharf RoachAll monthsAll hoursOn beach rocks

72

FlyAll monthsAll hoursOn rotten food and garbage

73

MosquitoJan, Feb, Mar, Dec5PM – 4AMFlying

74

FleaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursOn flea-infested villagers

75

SnailAll monthsAll hours On rocks

76

PillbugMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec11AM – 4PM Hitting rocks

77

CentipedeMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Nov, Dec5PM – 11PMHitting rocks

78

SpiderAll months7PM – 8AM Shaking trees

79

TarantulaMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct7PM – 4AMGround

80

ScorpionJan, Feb, Mar, Dec7PM – 4AMGround

About Fox

Check Also

I beat Baldurs Gate 3s hardest boss with a brilliant strategy and D&Ds most iconic spell

There are an awful lot of spells in D&D, and while Baldur’s Gate 3 features …

Leave a Reply