Get ready to dive into a swarm of excitement as Pokémon Go’s annual “Bug Out” event returns, spotlighting a flood of bug-type Pokémon, shiny encounters, and the debut of Mega Heracross. From April 12 to 17, trainers can tackle four thrilling Collection Challenges that demand skillful catching and evolving, rewarding participants with Mega Energy, rare Pokémon encounters, and exclusive avatar items. Whether you’re hunting Caterpie or evolving Nincada, this event promises a buzzing adventure packed with rewards and new strategies to master.
In addition to the bug spawns, catch XP and candy on nice or better throws is doubled. Combee and Burmy will have a higher chance to be found shiny, and bug-types will spawn for 15 minutes around a raid when it’s been completed.
We list out the other Pokémon Go “Bug Out” event perks, like the Collection Challenge and boosted spawns below.
Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event Collection Challenge
The Pokémon Go “Bug Out” event features three distinct Collection Challenges: String Theory, Butterfly Effect, and Strength or Speed. Each challenge requires players to catch and evolve specific Bug-type Pokémon, such as Wurmple, Caterpie, Weedle, and Nincada, to complete the collections. Successfully finishing these challenges rewards players with encounters with rare Pokémon like Sizzlipede and Shedinja, along with generous amounts of Stardust and XP. These challenges are time-limited and must be completed before the event ends to earn exclusive rewards and progress towards the Elite Collector medal.
There are a few Collection Challenges to complete that involve you catching and evolving specific Pokémon.
Bug Out Collection Challenge 1
- Catch a Caterpie
- Evolve Caterpie into Metapod
- Evolve Metapod into Butterfree
- Catch a Weedle
- Evolve Weedle into Kakuna
- Evolve Kakuna into Beedrill
Rewards: 50 Beedrill Mega Energy, Beedrill encounter
Bug Out Collection Challenge 2
- Catch a Sewaddle
- Evolve Sewaddle into Swadloon
- Evolve Swadloon into Leavanny
- Catch a Combee
- Evolve Combee into Vespiquen
Rewards: 50 Pinsir Mega Energy, Pinsir encounter
Bug Out Collection Challenge 3
- Catch a Dwebble
- Evolve Dwebble into Crustle
- Catch a Kricketot
- Evolve Kricketot into Kricketune
- Catch a Cutiefly
- Evolve Cutiefly into Ribombee
Rewards: 50 Scizor Mega Energy, Scizor encounter
Bug Out Collection Challenge 4
- Catch a Nincada
- Evolve Nincada into Ninjask
Rewards: Shedinja encounter
Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event Field Research and rewards
During the Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event, players can engage in special Field Research tasks that reward encounters with event-themed Pokémon such as Sizzlipede, Paras, Combee, and Wurmple, as well as valuable items like Mega Energy for Beedrill, Pinsir, and Scizor, and Scatterbug Candy. These tasks include catching various numbers of Pokémon, winning raids, evolving Pokémon, and opening gifts. Additionally, the event features both free and premium Timed Research quests, offering encounters with rare Pokémon like Shedinja, Kleavor, and Heracross, along with rewards such as Lure Modules, Stardust, XP, and Premium Raid Passes. The premium Timed Research, available for $2, provides extra bonuses and Pokémon encounters, making it a worthwhile option for dedicated players. All research tasks and rewards must be completed before the event ends on March 30, 2025.
Spinning a PokéStop during the event period may yield one of these tasks:
- Catch 5 Pokémon (Burmy encounter)
- Evolve 3 Pokémon (25 Beedrill, Pinsir, or Scizor Mega Energy)
- Make 3 curveball throws (Paras or Venonat encounter)
- Make 3 great throws in a row (Dewpider or Wimpod encounter)
- Trade a Pokémon (Karrablast or Shelmet encounter)
Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event boosted spawns
During the Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event, bug-type Pokémon spawns were significantly boosted, creating a swarm of these creatures in the wild. Notable Pokémon with increased spawn rates included Caterpie, Weedle, Wurmple, Nincada, Venipede, Dwebble, Joltik, Grubbin, Dewpider, Nymble, and Cutiefly. Additionally, Wurmple and Venipede had a higher chance of appearing as shiny variants, making the event especially appealing for shiny hunters. This boost extended to special lure modules, which attracted even more Pokémon from the event pool, including the debut of Gen 8’s Fire/Bug-type Sizzlipede. The increased spawns provided trainers with ample opportunities to catch, evolve, and complete event-specific Collection Challenges and Field Research tasks, enhancing the overall gameplay experience during the event period.
These Pokémon will spawn more frequently during the event period:
- Caterpie
- Weedle
- Shuckle
- Wurmple
- Nincada
- Kricketot
- Combee
- Sewaddle
- Dwebble
- Cutiefly
Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event raid targets
During the Pokémon Go ’Bug Out’ event, raid targets focus on a variety of bug-type Pokémon across different star levels. One-star raids feature Pokémon such as Pineco, Shuckle, Nincada, and Skorupi, while three-star raids include Beedrill, Pinsir, Kleavor, and Heracross, with the latter also available in its Mega form during a special Mega Heracross Raid Day. This event offers trainers the opportunity to battle and catch these bug-type raid bosses, which are integral to completing event Collection Challenges and earning valuable rewards like Mega Energy and exclusive encounters.
What hidden tips can help me complete the Bug Out Collection Challenge faster
Hidden Tips to Complete the Bug Out Collection Challenge Faster
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Use Golden Razz Berries and Pinap Berries to increase catch rates and double candy gains, especially during Spotlight Hour when Caterpie, Weedle, and Wurmple spawn in abundance. This maximizes candy collection for faster evolutions needed in the challenges.
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Focus on Evolution-Based Pokémon: Some Pokémon in the Collection Challenge must be obtained through evolution, not trading. Prioritize catching and evolving the required bug-types like Caterpie to Butterfree, Weedle to Beedrill, and others in the proper evolutionary line to ensure progress counts.
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Leverage Lure Modules in Busy Areas: Deploying lures in high-traffic spots attracts more Pokémon, and catching Pokémon from lures triggers more spawns. Organizing lure parties can significantly speed up catching the required Pokémon for the challenge.
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Activate Adventure Sync and Spawn-Boosting Effects: Using Adventure effects like Pia Spatial Rend can increase spawn distances, making more Pokémon visible and catchable in a shorter time.
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Complete Event Research Tasks Early: Some event-exclusive research tasks reward encounters with Pokémon that count towards the Collection Challenge. Completing these tasks during the event can save time and provide rare Pokémon encounters.
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Plan Around Spotlight Hour and Weather Boosts: Spotlight Hour (e.g., April 16 featuring Caterpie and Weedle) and favorable weather conditions increase spawn rates and candy rewards, making these periods ideal for rapid progress.
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Use Catch XP Bonuses: Take advantage of 2x catch XP for Nice Throws or better to level up faster, which can unlock more resources and bonuses to aid in completing the challenge.
By combining these strategies-berry usage, lure deployment, timed play during Spotlight Hour, and focusing on evolution requirements-you can efficiently complete the Bug Out Collection Challenge well before the deadline.
What are the best times and locations to catch rare bug Pokémon quickly
The best times to catch rare Bug-type Pokémon quickly in Pokémon Go’s Bug Out event are during the event dates themselves (e.g., March 26 to March 30, 2025) and especially during Spotlight Hour on April 16, when Caterpie, Weedle, and Wurmple spawn in abundance with increased Stardust and candy rewards.
Optimal locations and conditions include:
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High-traffic urban parks and green spaces where bug Pokémon spawn frequently, as these areas naturally have more spawn points and lures can be effectively used to increase spawns.
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During rainy weather, which boosts bug-type spawns, making it easier to find rarer bugs like Venipede and others introduced in the event.
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For specific rare bug Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (for general bug hunting tips beyond Pokémon Go):
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Tagtree Thicket is ideal for Venonat, Venomoth, Tarountula, and Spidops.
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Casseroya Lake offers strong bug types like Heracross, Scyther, and Forretress.
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Asado Desert is the place to find Larvesta and Rellor, which evolve into powerful bug types.
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In Pokémon Go, focusing on event spawn hotspots, using Golden Razz and Pinap Berries during these peak times, and playing during Spotlight Hour or favorable weather will maximize your chances of quickly catching rare bug Pokémon.
