Japanese Rural Life Adventure Bug Catching Guide: How to Catch Every Bug

Bug catching is a beloved summertime tradition in Japan, and Japanese Rural Life Adventure brings that experience to life beautifully.

There are 19 different bugs to collect across the game’s various areas, and catching them all takes the right combination of timing, location, and luck.

This guide covers everything from how to get your butterfly net to where and when each bug appears. If you’re chasing the elusive Kabutomushi or just trying to earn some quick coins, we’ve got you covered.

How to Get the Butterfly Net

The Butterfly Net is crafted at the workbench inside your home, just like the fishing rod. It’s one of the essential early-game tools you should prioritize crafting as soon as possible.

The materials needed are basic and can be gathered from the areas around your home.

Once you have the net in your inventory, you’re ready to start catching bugs anywhere they appear.

How Bug Catching Works

Bugs appear in the overworld as you walk through different areas. When you spot one, approach it with your Butterfly Net equipped and interact with it.

Be careful though, because if you get too close without your net equipped, some bugs will fly away before you get a chance to catch them.

Each catch attempt costs half a heart of energy.

When you try to catch a bug, a roulette-style minigame starts. You need to tap when the spinning wheel lands on an orange section to successfully capture the bug. Missing the orange section means the bug gets away.

Your bug catching level increases the more you practice. This is a big deal because your level directly affects the minigame.

As you level up, more orange slots appear on the roulette wheel, making it significantly easier to land successful catches. Early on, the wheel can feel pretty unforgiving, but it gets much better with practice.

One critical rule to remember: no bugs spawn during winter.

If it’s the cold season, you won’t find a single insect anywhere. Bug catching is strictly a Spring, Summer, and Fall activity, though most bugs are concentrated in Summer.

Star Ratings and Dagashi for Bug Catching

Just like fish, every bug has a star rating that determines how rare it is.

Common bugs like the Monshirocho (cabbage white butterfly) are 1-star and show up frequently.

Rare catches like the Kabutomushi (rhinoceros beetle) and Miyamakuwagata (stag beetle) have higher star ratings and require more luck to encounter.

The Dagashi system works for bug catching too.

You can buy dagashi candies from the Dagashiya store in the village that specifically boost your luck for encountering bugs of certain star ratings. Eating a dagashi before heading out on a bug hunt can make all the difference.

Remember that dagashi effects apply to bugs, fish, and animals, so make sure you’re using one that targets the right category.

Anzubo, Ankobo, Fruit Mochi and Number 1 Chocolate will help you catch 1-star bugs.

Ume Jam and Salami Umeibo will help you catch 2-star bugs.

Cheese Umeibo will help you catch 3-star bugs.

Su Konbu and Number 3 Chocolate will both help you catch 4-star bugs.

Finally Salty Umeibo will help you catch 5-star bugs.

Don’t forget to buy the Creature Encyclopedia from the Shopkeeper. This adds bug data to your in-game Guide, showing you which seasons and times of day each bug is available.

Where Bugs Appear

Unlike fishing, which happens at fixed water spots, bugs appear throughout the game world as you explore. They spawn in bushes, trees, grassy areas, and along paths across multiple map zones.

Different areas produce different bugs. The areas around your home, the village, the mountain, and the paths connecting these zones all have bugs. Clearing brush and shaking trees can sometimes reveal hidden insects.

The mountain area is particularly important for beetle hunters. The pass between your home and the mountain, especially the area near chestnut trees, is where you’ll find beetles like the Kokuwagata, Kabutomushi, and Miyamakuwagata.

Bugs near water sources like the river and waterfall tend to be dragonflies and damselflies. Butterflies are found more commonly in open grassy areas and flower fields around the home and village.

Butterflies

Monshirocho (cabbage white butterfly) is the most common butterfly in the game. It’s a 1-star bug available during Spring, Summer, and Fall during the daytime. You’ll see these fluttering around grassy areas and flower patches constantly.

Monkicho (yellow butterfly) is another common 1-star butterfly found during Spring, Summer, and Fall. It appears during the day and is easy to spot thanks to its bright color. Like the Monshirocho, you’ll encounter these frequently.

Agehacho (swallowtail butterfly) is a beautiful 2-star butterfly available during Spring, Summer, and Fall. It appears during daytime hours and can be found in similar areas to the other common butterflies.

Karasuageha (spicebush swallowtail) is a 3-star butterfly with dark, striking wings. It’s available during Spring, Summer and Fall during the daytime. Since it’s a higher star rating, it spawns less frequently than the common butterflies.

Asagimadara (chestnut tiger butterfly) is a rarer 4-star butterfly species known for its distinctive wing pattern. It appears during Summer and is one of the trickier butterflies to encounter. Using a dagashi that boosts your luck for higher-star bugs will help.

Omurasaki (great purple emperor) is one of the rarest butterflies in the game and a 4-star catch. It appears during Summer and is highly sought after by collectors. This one takes patience and luck to find.

Dragonflies

Itotonbo (damselfly) is a delicate, slender insect found near water areas during Spring, Summer and Fall. It’s a common 1-star bug that appears during the daytime. Look for it near the river and waterfall.

Akatonbo (red dragonfly) is an iconic Fall insect. These beautiful red dragonflies are a symbol of autumn in Japanese culture. They appear during the daytime in the Fall season and are relatively common.

Ginyanma (green darner dragonfly) is a 1-star dragonfly found during Spring, Summer and Fall. It’s larger and faster than the Itotonbo and appears during daytime hours. Look for it near water sources.

Oniyanma (giant dragonfly) is the biggest dragonfly in the game and a rare, 3-star catch. It appears during Spring and Summer in the daytime. The Oniyanma is based on Japan’s largest dragonfly species, and it’s one of the most impressive bugs to add to your collection.

Beetles

Kokuwagata (small stag beetle) is found on trees in the pass between your home and the mountain during Summer. It appears during the daytime and is one of the easier 2-star beetles to encounter. Keep your net equipped when walking through this area.

Kabutomushi (rhinoceros beetle) is one of the most iconic and sought-after bugs in the entire game. It’s a 3-star beetle found during Summer and available during both day and night.

To find the Kabutomushi, head to the mountain at night during Summer. Use a 3-star insect dagashi (the Cheese Umeibo works well) before heading out. Go to the area near the rock surrounded by berries, head down the stairs, and look for the chestnut tree with a dark trunk on the path. Wait near this tree and Kabutomushi will spawn nearby every few seconds. The Teacher requires Kabutomushi as a present, so save some for gifting.

Miyamakuwagata (stag beetle) is another rare, 3-star beetle that appears during Summer during the day and night. It can be found in the same mountain area near chestnut trees where the Kabutomushi spawns. Like its rhinoceros beetle cousin, it requires patience and a dagashi boost to find consistently.

Cicadas

Minminzemi is a cicada that appears during Summer in the daytime. Its unmistakable buzzing call is one of the signature sounds of summer in the game. You’ll find cicadas on trees throughout the map.

Tsukutsukuhoshi is another type of cicada, also available during Summer in the daytime. Its name comes from the unique rhythm of its song. Like the Minminzemi, look for it on trees.

Cicadas can be a bit tricky to catch because they tend to sit high on tree trunks. Make sure you approach with your net ready and don’t get too close before you’re prepared to swing.

Crickets, Grasshoppers, and Fireflies

Batta (grasshopper) is a common 1-star bug found in grassy areas during Spring and Summer. It appears during the daytime and is one of the easier catches. Grasshoppers pop up frequently as you walk through fields and along paths.

Koorogi (cricket) appears during Spring and Fall and can be found during both day and night hours. Crickets are ground-dwelling insects, so look for them in grassy areas and along paths.

Suzumushi (bell cricket) is a 2-star Fall insect known for its beautiful ringing song. It appears at night, making it one of the few bugs you’ll need to hunt after dark. Make sure you have a light source (lamp or candlestick) so you can be active during nighttime hours.

Hotaru (firefly) is a magical 4-star Summer bug that only appears at night. Fireflies are a beloved part of Japanese summer culture, and catching one in the game is a treat. Look for their glowing lights near water areas after the sun goes down. They’re a beautiful addition to your collection.

Tips for Catching Every Bug

Level up your bug catching skill early. The roulette minigame is much harder at low levels because there are fewer orange slots on the wheel. Spend time catching common bugs like Monshirocho and Batta to raise your level before going after rare species.

Summer is the most important season for bug catching. The vast majority of bugs, including all the beetles, cicadas, dragonflies, and fireflies, appear during Summer. Dedicate as much Summer time as possible to bug hunting if you want to complete your collection.

Use dagashi strategically. Don’t waste dagashi on common 1-star bugs. Save your higher-star insect dagashi for when you’re specifically targeting rare beetles like the Kabutomushi and Miyamakuwagata, or rare butterflies like the Omurasaki.

Always have your net equipped in bug-heavy areas. Some bugs will fly away if you approach without your net in hand. Keep it equipped whenever you’re walking through areas where bugs tend to spawn, especially on the mountain.

Don’t forget about nighttime bugs. Hotaru (fireflies) and Suzumushi (bell crickets) only appear at night. You’ll need a lamp or candlestick to be active after dark. Without a light source, you’ll miss these entirely.

Cover every area of the map. Bugs spawn in different zones, and some appear only in specific locations like the mountain pass or near water. Make a habit of running through all accessible areas during each season to maximize your chances.

Bugs sell for decent money. Even if you’re not trying to complete your collection, catching and selling bugs is a solid way to earn coins. They’re quick to catch once your level is high enough, and they respawn fast across every area of the map.

Check the Fall season for exclusive bugs. While Summer gets most of the attention, Fall has its own exclusive insects like the Akatonbo (red dragonfly), Koorogi (cricket), and Suzumushi (bell cricket). Don’t skip autumn bug hunting or you’ll have to wait an entire in-game year for another shot.

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Images in this post were captured by the author from the Steam version of the game and used under Fair Use.