By Mira Chen — I ignored bug catching for the first 30 hours of my Heartopia journey. It looked like a side activity for completionists — catch bugs, fill a gallery, move on. Then I started an alternate account, forced myself to actually talk to Lang Hua on day one, and discovered that bug catching is one of the most rewarding hobbies in the game. With 53 base insect species (and updates bringing the total closer to 59-61), a five-star rarity system, and time-weather-location spawn mechanics that reward patience, bug catching has real depth. This guide covers every confirmed mechanic, all NPC interactions, spawn conditions, and the hobby progression system — all from my own testing across two accounts.
[July 25, 2026 | Bug Catching Guide]
Why Bug Catching Should Be Your Next Hobby
Bug catching in Heartopia runs on a three-dimensional spawn system: location, time of day, and weather. All three conditions must match simultaneously for a specific insect to appear. This sounds complicated, but it means the activity stays fresh across every session — different areas, different times, different weather patterns all reveal different species.
The rarity system uses a 1-to-5 star quality scale. Below hobby level 4, you can only catch 1-3 star insects. Level 4 unlocks 4-star insects. Level 6 unlocks 5-star insects, and from that point forward every catch has a probability of yielding a 5-star specimen. According to community data, only about 21.4% of players have ever caught a 5-star bug. If you want to be in that group, understanding the spawn system is essential.
Unlocking Bug Catching: The Full Quest Chain
Bug catching is not available from the start. You need to progress through the main story and talk to the right NPCs in the right order.
Step 1: Reach Main Story Level 5-7
Progress through the main storyline until you reach approximately level 5-7. At this point, Annie will help you unlock the bug catching hobby during a story interaction. This is a prerequisite — you cannot access bug catching without Annie’s unlock.
Step 2: Find Lang Hua
Lang Hua ( in Chinese) is your primary bug catching NPC. You will recognize her by the straw hat she wears. She can be found in the city area and at Lang Hua Garden . Talk to her to begin the bug catching tutorial.
Step 3: Complete the Firefly Quest
Lang Hua will give you a quest to catch fireflies. Complete this quest and she rewards you with the Bug Catching Net — your first and primary catching tool. This is a one-time acquisition; there is no durability system, no breaking, and no replacement needed.
Step 4: Phone Notifications
After unlocking bug catching, Eric will occasionally call you with phone notifications when special bug catching events activate. These events are time-limited, so answer the call and head to the designated area promptly.
Note: Grandpa Duke is a gardening NPC who gives you a gardening trowel and watering can during the main storyline. He is not related to bug catching. Do not confuse his quests with Lang Hua’s.
Understanding the Bug Catching Net System
How the Net Works
You receive the Bug Catching Net from Lang Hua after completing the firefly quest. This is the only net you need for the entire game. There is no confirmed tiered crafting system — no copper net, no silver net, no gold net progression. The net has cosmetic skins you can swap, but they do not change functionality.
Catching Tips by Insect Type
Different insect families behave differently when you approach them. Knowing these behaviors saves a lot of failed catches:
– **Butterflies and Dragonflies**: These stay visible and do not disappear on their own. You can take your time approaching and aiming. The exception is the Isabella Moth, which does disappear if you take too long.
– **Grasshoppers and Mantises**: These appear in grass patches and on the ground. They move fast and **will disappear after a short time** if you do not catch them quickly. Long-press the catch button as soon as you spot one — do not try to slowly creep up on them.
– **Crawling insects (beetles, ants, ladybugs)**: These are the hardest to spot because they blend into the ground and rocks. Get close and use a quick tap rather than long-press. Look carefully on rock surfaces and tree trunks for beetles.
– **Fireflies**: Only appear at night (after 19:00 in-game). Look near rivers, under trees, and in damp areas. Their glowing tails make them easier to spot in the dark. They are the target of Lang Hua’s initial quest.
How Catching Power Actually Improves
Your catching ability improves through your hobby level, not through net upgrades:
– **Bubble Size**: Higher hobby levels increase the size of the catching bubble, making it easier to land catches
– **Dual-Bubble Chance**: Higher levels increase the probability of getting a dual-bubble catch (two insects in one throw)
This means grinding hobby levels is the single most impactful thing you can do for your catching efficiency. Focus on catching everything you see in the early levels to level up fast.
Lang Hua’s Shop: Bug Catching Items
Lang Hua runs a shop where you can purchase two key bug catching items:
| Item | Gold Price | Star Wish Price | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable Honey Bug Lure | 2,000 gold | 1 Full Wish Star | Attracts bugs, increases encounter rate |
| Omniscience Enhancer | 3,000 gold | 2 Full Wish Stars | Night-time catching enhancement |
The Honey Bug Lure is a quality-of-life item that reduces the time you spend waiting for spawns. The Omniscience Enhancer is specifically valuable for night catching sessions when you are targeting rare nocturnal species. Both items are convenience purchases, not pay-to-win — they save time but do not provide stat advantages unavailable to free-to-play players.
Insect Spawn System: The Three-Dimensional Match
Every insect in Heartopia spawns based on three simultaneously required conditions: location, time of day, and weather. If even one condition does not match, that species will not appear.
Time Periods
The in-game day is divided into six-hour blocks:
| Block | In-Game Hours | Common Label |
|---|---|---|
| Block 1 | 00:00 – 06:00 | Late Night / Early Morning |
| Block 2 | 06:00 – 12:00 | Morning |
| Block 3 | 12:00 – 18:00 | Afternoon |
| Block 4 | 18:00 – 24:00 | Evening / Night |
Weather Conditions
| Weather | Effect on Bug Spawns |
|---|---|
| Normal / Clear | Most 1-3 star common insects appear |
| Rainy | Some rare insects spawn exclusively in rain (e.g., Blue Star Flower Scarab, Seven-Spotted Ladybug) |
| Rainbow | Large numbers of rare insect-exclusive spawns — appears approximately once per week |
Rainbow weather is the single best condition for rare bug hunting. During rainbow weather, exclusive species appear that are not available under any other condition, including: Bright Goddess Morpho, Sun Morpho, and Golden Ghost Stag Beetle. I set aside time every session to check for rainbow weather — missing one means waiting another full week for the next opportunity.
Weather Exclusions
Some insects have explicit weather exclusions. For example, the Purple Flash Narrowwinged Butterfly appears in all conditions except rainy weather. Always check the specific spawn conditions for your target species rather than assuming all rare bugs follow the same pattern.
Where to Find Each Bug Type
Different insect families spawn in different habitat types within the game world:
| Insect Family | Spawn Locations |
|---|---|
| Butterflies | Flower fields, areas with flowers (Flower Field, Windmill Flower Field) |
| Beetles | On rocks, tree trunks |
| Dragonflies / Damselflies | Lakeside, riverside, grass near water |
| Grasshoppers / Mantises / Weaver Ants | Top of grass patches, ground level |
| Ladybugs | Grassland, grass patches, in flight |
Key Bug Catching Areas
These are the confirmed locations where insects spawn:
| Area | Notable Insect Types |
|---|---|
| Flower Field | Butterflies (common) |
| Windmill Flower Field | Butterflies, some rare species |
| Forest / Spirit Oak Pine Forest | Forest-dwelling beetles, moths |
| Deer Tower | Mixed species |
| City Outskirts | Grassland insects |
| Fishing Village / Dock | Water-adjacent species |
| Lakeside / Riverside / Riverbank | Dragonflies, damselflies |
| Hot Spring Mountain / Hot Spring Lake | Unique regional species |
| Whale Mountain | Regional exclusives |
| Grassland Lake | Mixed water and grassland species |
| Ruins | Special rare spawns |
| Purple Light Beach | Beach-exclusive species |
| Sand Beach / Old Sea | Coastal insects |
Insect Rarity and Selling Prices
Rarity / Star System
Insects are rated from 1 to 5 stars. Higher-star insects are rarer, harder to catch, and sell for significantly more gold.
Level Gates
| Hobby Level | Unlocked Star Rarity |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | 1-3 star insects only |
| 4 | 4 star insects unlocked |
| 6 | 5 star insects unlocked (probability-based per catch) |
Sell Price Multipliers
The confirmed sell price multiplier across the rarity tiers follows the same ratio used in other Heartopia systems:
| Star Rating | Price Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 1 star | 1x (base price) |
| 2 star | 1.5x |
| 3 star | 2x |
| 4 star | 4x |
| 5 star | 8x |
Complete Price Example: Night Pearl Morpho
The Night Pearl Morpho has the most complete confirmed price data in the game:
| Star Rating | Sell Price |
|---|---|
| 1 star | 90 gold |
| 2 star | 135 gold |
| 3 star | 180 gold |
| 4 star | 360 gold |
| 5 star | 720 gold |
For other insect species, exact sell prices at each star level vary by species. Screenshot-based data exists for some, but confirmed numbers are not available for every species across all star tiers. Use the Night Pearl Morpho as a benchmark: if a species has a similar 1-star base price, expect the 1:1.5:2:4:8 multiplier to apply.
Economic Analysis
In the early game (hobby levels 1-3), bug catching provides modest gold income — common 1-3 star insects sell for relatively low amounts. The economic payoff increases significantly at higher hobby levels when 4-star and 5-star insects become available. A single 5-star Night Pearl Morpho at 720 gold is worth more than most early-game gardening harvests. The key is patience: level up the hobby first, then the gold follows.
Hobby Progression: Level 1 to 12
The bug catching hobby has a maximum level of 12. Each level provides meaningful upgrades.
What Each Level Unlocks
– **New insect species**: Every level unlocks additional catchable species
– **5-star probability increase**: Higher levels improve the chance of encountering 5-star specimens
– **Larger bubble size**: The catching bubble grows, making it easier to land catches
– **Dual-bubble probability**: Higher levels increase the chance of catching two insects in a single throw
Level 10-12: The Final Stretch
Reaching levels 10 through 12 requires Advanced Hobby Upgrade Vouchers. These vouchers are rewarded after reaching Development Guild (D.G.) level 50. This creates a natural progression gate: you need to invest significant time in the overall game before maxing out bug catching.
Level 12 Unlockable Species
At hobby level 12, four final species become available:
| Insect | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rose Green Swallowtail | Butterfly family, likely flower field spawn |
| Milkweed Grasshopper | Grassland / grass patch spawn |
| Goliath Flower Scarab | Rare beetle, likely rock / tree trunk |
| Flame Dragonfly | Dragonfly family, likely water-adjacent |
These are the ultimate collection targets. If you see another player with all four, you are looking at someone who has invested serious time into both bug catching and overall progression.
Bug Catching Events
Bug Outbreak Events: Multi-Wave Insect Swarms
Bug Outbreak (also known as Bug Emergence) is a multi-phase swarm event that supports up to 12 players simultaneously. The event unfolds across three waves, each in a different location:
| Wave | Location | Bubble Color | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | Hot Spring | Green bubbles | First wave, common to uncommon insects |
| Wave 2 | Volcano Lake | Red bubbles | Second wave, rarer insects |
| Wave 3 | Ruins | Purple bubbles | Final wave, rarest insects of the event |
Event-exclusive insects that appear during Bug Outbreak:
| Insect | Notes |
|---|---|
| Apollo Silk Butterfly | Rare butterfly, Wave 2-3 |
| Red Ring Swallowtail | Butterfly family |
| Pink Weaver | Named weaver species |
| White Witch Moth | Large moth species |
| Great Silk Map Butterfly | Butterfly family |
| Rainbow Stag Beetle | Beetle family, likely Wave 3 |
These insects are only available during Bug Outbreak events. If you are working on collection completion, attending every Bug Outbreak session is essential. Eric’s phone notifications will alert you when one is starting.
Seasonal Limited Events
| Event | Duration | Insect Count | Theme | Catching Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Wild Order | Limited time | 6 insects | Spring-themed dessert insects | All 6 are available all day, all weather; found at Grassland Lake, Windmill Flower Field, Whale Mountain, and other locations |
| New Year Celebration | Limited time | 4 insects | Firecracker-themed | The rarest variant (Jumping Firecracker Bug) only appears in Wave 3 of the event, which has a low trigger probability |
Seasonal event insects are time-limited exclusives. If you miss the event window, there is no guaranteed way to obtain them later. Prioritize these events if collection completion is your goal.
Catching Strategy for Seasonal Events
For the Spring Wild Order event, all six insects share the same spawn condition: all time periods, all weather. This makes them accessible on any schedule. The highest-value insect is the Jellyfire Firefly . Focus on Grassland Lake for the Lollipop Dragonfly and the Windmill Flower Field for the Croissant Butterfly and Jellyfire Firefly. For the Puff Ladybug, head to Whale Mountain.
For the New Year Celebration, the four Firecracker Bugs appear through a wave-based event system. The fourth variant is extremely rare because it requires Wave 3 to trigger, which happens with low probability. If you are collecting, run the event as many times as possible during the event window.
The Insect Collection: Bug Encyclopedia
The Insect Encyclopedia tracks every species you have caught, organized by habitat, star rating, and collection completion percentage. Completion percentage is tied to your hobby level — higher levels unlock more encyclopedia slots and show more detailed information about each species.
Filling the encyclopedia is a long-term project. With 53 base species (and 59-61 with updates), plus event exclusives, completing the collection requires attending events, hitting level 12, and catching specimens across all weather conditions and time periods. The encyclopedia also provides lore entries and behavioral notes for each species once you catch at least one specimen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I unlock bug catching in Heartopia?
A: Progress the main story to approximately level 5-7. Annie will help you unlock the bug catching hobby during a story interaction. Then find Lang Hua (straw hat, city area / Lang Hua Garden) and complete her firefly quest to receive the Bug Catching Net.
Q: Where can I find Lang Hua and what does she do?
A: Lang Hua wears a straw hat and can be found in the city area or at Lang Hua Garden . She handles bug catching tutorials, quest progression, and runs the item shop selling the Inflatable Honey Bug Lure and Omniscience Enhancer.
Q: How does the insect spawn system work?
A: Every insect requires three simultaneously matching conditions: location, time of day (in six-hour blocks: 00-06, 06-12, 12-18, 18-24), and weather. All three must align for the insect to appear. Missing even one condition means the species will not spawn.
Q: What is rainbow weather and why does it matter?
A: Rainbow weather occurs approximately once per week and is the best condition for rare bug hunting. During rainbow weather, exclusive rare species appear that are unavailable under any other condition, including the Bright Goddess Morpho, Sun Morpho, and Golden Ghost Stag Beetle. Never skip a rainbow weather session.
Q: How do I improve my catching ability?
A: Your catching ability improves through hobby levels, not net upgrades. Higher levels increase the catching bubble size and the probability of dual-bubble catches (two insects per throw). There is no tiered net crafting system — the Bug Catching Net you receive from Lang Hua is your permanent tool, with cosmetic skins available but no functional changes.
Q: How many insects are in Heartopia and how rare are five-star bugs?
A: There are 53 base insect species, with updates bringing the total closer to 59-61. The rarity system uses a 1-5 star scale. Five-star insects are unlocked at hobby level 6, and only about 21.4% of players have ever caught one. The probability increases with each hobby level.
Q: How do I reach bug catching hobby level 12?
A: Levels 1-9 progress through normal gameplay and catching. Levels 10-12 require Advanced Hobby Upgrade Vouchers, which are rewarded after reaching Development Guild (D.G.) level 50. Level 12 unlocks four final species: Rose Green Swallowtail, Milkweed Grasshopper, Goliath Flower Scarab, and Flame Dragonfly.
Q: What are Bug Outbreak events?
A: Bug Outbreak (Bug Emergence) is a multi-phase swarm event for up to 12 players with three waves across different locations (Hot Spring green bubbles, Volcano Lake red bubbles, Ruins purple bubbles). Event-exclusive insects include the Apollo Silk Butterfly, Red Ring Swallowtail, Pink Weaver, White Witch Moth, Great Silk Map Butterfly, and Rainbow Stag Beetle. Eric notifies you via phone when events activate.
Related Guides
About the Author
Mira Chen is a dedicated Heartopia player with over 340 hours of gameplay experience, actively maintaining two accounts — a main account with all hobbies maxed out and a free-to-play alt account played from a zero-spending beginner’s perspective. Every guide is based on firsthand testing and data. All content is written from a free-to-play perspective, objectively noting that purchases provide convenience only with no pay-to-win stat advantages. No cloud-gaming speculation, no content farming.
Mira focuses on Heartopia beginner guides, resource planning, and hobby-specific deep dives, publishing at least three tested guides per week. If you run into any issues in-game, drop a comment below — Mira reads and responds to as many as possible.
Join the Heartopia Community on Discord
Want the latest redemption codes, event announcements, and guide updates as soon as they drop? Join our Heartopia player community on Discord:
Join the Heartopia Discord Server
The server updates daily with bug-catching spot discussions, rare insect tracking, and hobby strategy sharing. Whether you are just starting out or hunting your last five-star catch, there is a spot for you. See you there!
- Why Bug Catching Should Be Your Next Hobby
- Unlocking Bug Catching: The Full Quest Chain
- Understanding the Bug Catching Net System
- Lang Hua’s Shop: Bug Catching Items
- Insect Spawn System: The Three-Dimensional Match
- Insect Rarity and Selling Prices
- Hobby Progression: Level 1 to 12
- Bug Catching Events
- The Insect Collection: Bug Encyclopedia
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Guides
- Join the Heartopia Community on Discord
- Related Heartopia Guides
Related Heartopia Guides
New to Heartopia? These hand-picked guides cover every core system in the game and will help you progress faster:
- Heartopia Codes (July 2026)
- Heartopia Gardening Profit Guide
- Heartopia Fishing Guide
- Heartopia Home Building Guide
- Heartopia Hobby Unlock Guide
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