Crafting nets to catch lots of bugs is a constant part of the Animal Crossing world. Whether you're trying to fill your museum or just selling bugs for spare Bells, you pretty much always want to be on the lookout for the rare and expensive bugs. Sometimes, though, you'll want to be catching every single bug you see. Specifically when Flick arrives on your island, net in hand, ready to pay extra for all your creepy crawlies!
Who is Flick and why does he want my bugs?
Flick is a new character to the Animal Crossing series and a special visitor to your island. He's a bright red chameleon who has a major obsession with bugs. He takes the place of Nat as the host of Bug Offs, and he will visit your island on occasion asking for any and all bugs you can catch. Even better, he buys them at a premium. Flick will pay 150% of what you can get at Nook's Cranny for any bug. He'll even take your commissions for sculptures of bugs. His visits are mostly random (with the exception of the Bug Offs) and when he arrives, he will stay the entire day, leaving at 5 a.m.
What's a Bug Off?
A Bug Off is a special event that happens every third Saturday of certain months, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the Northern Hemisphere, Bug Offs occur on the third Saturday of June, July, August, and September. In the Southern Hemisphere, Bug Offs occur on the third Saturday of November, December, January, and February. On the days when your island is hosting a Bug Off, Isabelle will say so over the announcements in the morning. You can talk to Flick in the plaza when you want to enter.
The entry fee is only 500 Bells, and your first time is free. Once you enter, you have to catch as many bugs as possible in just three minutes. Every bug you catch is worth one point, but the third gets you two extra points, equaling five points for every three bugs. But don't think you'll be the only one catching bugs. Your villagers will also be picking up their nets to compete. At the end of the Bug Off, whoever has the most points wins.
You can also exchange 10 points for a prize chosen at random from the following:
- Artisanal Bug Cage
- Bug Aloha Shirt
- Bug Cage
- Bug Wand
- Butterfly Backpack
- Butterfly Wall
- Ladybug Rug
- Ladybug Umbrella
- Spider Doorplate
- Spider Web
- Termite Mound
- Toy Centipede
- Toy Cockroach
What are the best bugs to sell to Flick?
While Flick will pay a lot for any bugs you catch, if you want to make the most Bells, you want to aim for the really expensive bugs. Depending on the time of year, and how much you've prepared, your options could be limited. Here are all the most expensive bugs, when and where you catch them, and how much they can be sold for:
| Bug | Months* | Hours | Location | Price | Flick's Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agris Butterfly | April to September | 8 AM to 5 PM | Flying | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Atlas Moth | April to September | 7 PM to 4 PM | Tree Trunks | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Banded Dragonfly | May to October | 8 AM to 5 PM | Flying | 4,500 | 6,750 |
| Cyclommatus Stag | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Dung beetle | December to February | Any | Snowballs | 2,500 | 3,750 |
| Emperor Butterfly | December to March June to September | 5 PM to 8 AM | Flying | 4,000 | 6,000 |
| Giant Stag | July to August | 11 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 10,000 | 15,000 |
| Giant Water Bug | April to September | 7 PM to 8 AM | Ponds and Rivers | 2,000 | 3,000 |
| Giraffe Stag | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 12,000 | 18,000 |
| Golden Stag | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 12,000 | 18,000 |
| Goliath Beetle | June to September | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Great Purple Emperor | May to August | 4 AM to 7 PM | Flying | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Hermit Crab | Any | 7 PM to 8 AM | Beach | 1,000 | 1,500 |
| Horned Atlas | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Horned Dynastid | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 1,350 | 2,025 |
| Horned Elephant | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Horned Hercules | July to August | 5 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 12,000 | 18,000 |
| Jewel Beetle | April to August | Any | Tree Trunks | 2,400 | 3,600 |
| Madagascan Sunset Moth | April to September | 8 AM to 4 PM | Flying | 2,500 | 3,750 |
| Man-Faced Stink Bug | March to October | 7 PM to 8 AM | Flowers | 1,000 | 1,500 |
| Miyama Stag | July to August | Any | Tree Trunks | 1,000 | 1,500 |
| Orchid Mantis | March to November | 8 AM to 5 PM | Flowers | 2,400 | 3,600 |
| Paper Kite Butterfly | Any | 8 AM to 7 PM | Flying | 1,000 | 1,500 |
| Peacock Butterfly | March to June | 4 AM to 7 PM | Near Black, Purple, or Blue Flowers | 2,500 | 3,750 |
| Queen Alexandra's Birdwing | May to September | 8 AM to 4 PM | Flying | 4,000 | 6,000 |
| Rainbow Stag | June to September | 7 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| Rajah Brooke's Birdwing | December to February April to September | 8 AM to 5 PM | Near Black, Purple, or Blue Flowers | 2,500 | 3,750 |
| Rosalia Batsei Beetle | May to June | Any | Tree Stumps | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| Saw Stag | July to August | Any | Tree Trunks | 2,000 | 3,000 |
| Scarab Beetle | July to August | 11 PM to 8 AM | Tree Trunks | 10,000 | 15,000 |
| Scorpion | May to October | 7 PM to 4 AM | Ground | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Tarantula | November to April | 7 PM to 4 AM | Ground | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Tiger Beetle | February to October | Any | Ground | 1,500 | 2,250 |
| Wasp | Any | Any | Shake Trees | 2,500 | 3,750 |
Note: The months listed are for players in the Northern Hemisphere.
As you can see, July through August are the most lucrative months for bug catching (at least in the Northern Hemisphere.) This is because bugs thrive in summertime. Still, no matter what time of year, there are some valuable bugs. You can also catch expensive bugs when Flick isn't visiting, and keep them in your storage or your house until he returns.
How do Flick's commissions work?
In addition to buying your bugs and hosting Bug Offs, Flick is also an artist. He will take one commission each day he visits your island. To commission Flick for one of his bug sculptures, just follow these easy steps:
1. Catch three of the same species of bug. This can be any bug you'd like, but you need three of them.
2. Talk to Flick.
3. Select "Tell me about your art."
4. Select the bug from your inventory.
Note: Only bugs you have three of will be available.
5. Press A to confirm.
Flick will happily take your bugs, promising to provide them with a good home. The next day, he will mail you the sculpture he created of the bug you selected.
Get to catching!
We love Flick, his art, and of course, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Now you'll know how to get your collection of Flick's bug art started and how to find your perfect piece. Hopefully, you can make some good Bells to pay off that debt with, too.
If you can't get enough of Animal Crossing be sure to check out the best third-party Joy-Cons available, which include some unique Animal Crossing-themed ones. How fun!
