Here's everything you need to know about catching this large insect!
The atlas moth is one of the largest insects in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and it’s also one of the hardest to catch. Here’s everything you need to know about finding and catching this insect on your island!
Players with islands in the Northern Hemisphere can catch the atlas moth between April and September. According to All Gamers, players with islands in the Southern Hemisphere can catch this bug from October to March. The atlas moth can appear between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m., and you’ll only see them on the trunks of trees.
The atlas moth is a very skittish insect, and it’s very easy to scare one away if you get too close to it (even if you’re approaching it slowly). To improve your chances of catching an atlas moth, remember to hold down the “A” button on your controller to slowly creep up on the insect with your net drawn. When you release the “A” button, your character will swing the net in the direction they’re facing.
We also recommend swinging your net when you’re as far away from the atlas moth as possible. That is, it’s best to swing the net as soon as you’re close enough to the bug to actually catch it, because it may become frightened and fly away if you walk too close.
When you catch an atlas moth, your efforts will be well rewarded. You can sell this bug for 3,000 Bells at Nook’s Cranny, or for even more if you sell it to Flick. Just remember to donate one to the museum, too!
To learn more about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or to view the rest of our guides for the game, check out our previous coverage.
Disclosure: Nintendo gave SuperParent a code for Animal Crossing: New Horizons for coverage purposes.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
