Bug (type)

The Bug type (Japanese: むしタイプ Bug type) is one of the eighteen types. Bug-type moves are super effective against Dark-, Grass-, and Psychic-type Pokémon, while Bug-type Pokémon are weak to Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type moves.

Battle properties

Note: Type effectiveness multipliers may vary in other games outside the core series.

Generation I

Offensive properties of   Bug-type moves
Super effective (×2): Not very effective (×½): No effect (×0):
 Poison Grass Psychic  Fighting Flying Ghost Fire None
Defensive properties of   Bug-type Pokémon
Weak to (×2): Resists (×½): Immune to (×0):
 Flying Poison Rock Fire  Fighting Ground Grass None

Generations II to V

Offensive properties of   Bug-type moves
Super effective (×2): Not very effective (×½): No effect (×0):
 Grass Psychic Dark  Fighting Flying Poison Ghost Steel Fire None
Defensive properties of   Bug-type Pokémon
Weak to (×2): Resists (×½): Immune to (×0):
 Flying Rock Fire  Fighting Ground Grass None

Generation VI onwards

Offensive properties of   Bug-type moves
Super effective (×2): Not very effective (×½): No effect (×0):
 Grass Psychic Dark  Fighting Flying Poison Ghost Steel Fire Fairy None
Defensive properties of   Bug-type Pokémon
Weak to (×2): Resists (×½): Immune to (×0):
 Flying Rock Fire  Fighting Ground Grass None

Pokémon

As of Generation IX, there are 92 Bug-type Pokémon or 8.98% of all Pokémon, making it the 6th most common type after Psychic and before Fire and Poison.

Pure Bug-type Pokémon

# Name
0010   Caterpie
0011   Metapod
0127   Pinsir
0204   Pineco
0265   Wurmple
0266   Silcoon
0268   Cascoon
0313   Volbeat
0314   Illumise
0401   Kricketot
0402   Kricketune
0412   Burmy
Plant Cloak
  Burmy
Sandy Cloak
  Burmy
Trash Cloak
0588   Karrablast
0616   Shelmet
0617   Accelgor
0664   Scatterbug
0665   Spewpa
0736   Grubbin
0824   Blipbug
0917   Tarountula
0918   Spidops
0919   Nymble
0953   Rellor

Half Bug-type Pokémon

Primary Bug-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2
0012   Butterfree Bug Flying
  Gigantamax
Butterfree
Bug Flying
0013   Weedle Bug Poison
0014   Kakuna Bug Poison
0015   Beedrill Bug Poison
  Mega
Beedrill
Bug Poison
0046   Paras Bug Grass
0047   Parasect Bug Grass
0048   Venonat Bug Poison
0049   Venomoth Bug Poison
0123   Scyther Bug Flying
0127   Mega
Pinsir
Bug Flying
0165   Ledyba Bug Flying
0166   Ledian Bug Flying
0167   Spinarak Bug Poison
0168   Ariados Bug Poison
0193   Yanma Bug Flying
0205   Forretress Bug Steel
0212   Scizor Bug Steel
  Mega
Scizor
Bug Steel
0213   Shuckle Bug Rock
0214   Heracross Bug Fighting
  Mega
Heracross
Bug Fighting
0267   Beautifly Bug Flying
0269   Dustox Bug Poison
0283   Surskit Bug Water
0284   Masquerain Bug Flying
0290   Nincada Bug Ground
0291   Ninjask Bug Flying
0292   Shedinja Bug Ghost
0413   Wormadam
Plant Cloak
Bug Grass
  Wormadam
Sandy Cloak
Bug Ground
  Wormadam
Trash Cloak
Bug Steel
0414   Mothim Bug Flying
0415   Combee Bug Flying
0416   Vespiquen Bug Flying
0469   Yanmega Bug Flying
0540   Sewaddle Bug Grass
0541   Swadloon Bug Grass
0542   Leavanny Bug Grass
0543   Venipede Bug Poison
0544   Whirlipede Bug Poison
0545   Scolipede Bug Poison
0557   Dwebble Bug Rock
0558   Crustle Bug Rock
0589   Escavalier Bug Steel
0595   Joltik Bug Electric
0596   Galvantula Bug Electric
0632   Durant Bug Steel
0636   Larvesta Bug Fire
0637   Volcarona Bug Fire
0649   Genesect Bug Steel
0666   Vivillon Bug Flying
0737   Charjabug Bug Electric
0738   Vikavolt Bug Electric
0742   Cutiefly Bug Fairy
0743   Ribombee Bug Fairy
0767   Wimpod Bug Water
0768   Golisopod Bug Water
0794   Buzzwole Bug Fighting
0795   Pheromosa Bug Fighting
0825   Dottler Bug Psychic
0826   Orbeetle Bug Psychic
  Gigantamax
Orbeetle
Bug Psychic
0900   Kleavor Bug Rock
0920   Lokix Bug Dark
0954   Rabsca Bug Psychic
0988   Slither Wing Bug Fighting

Secondary Bug-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2
0347   Anorith Rock Bug
0348   Armaldo Rock Bug
0451   Skorupi Poison Bug
0751   Dewpider Water Bug
0752   Araquanid Water Bug
0850   Sizzlipede Fire Bug
0851   Centiskorch Fire Bug
  Gigantamax
Centiskorch
Fire Bug
0872   Snom Ice Bug
0873   Frosmoth Ice Bug

Moves

As of Generation IX, there are 34 Bug-type moves, which makes up 3.64% of all moves (excluding those that are Bug-type only under certain circumstances), causing it to tie with Ghost and Fairy as the 4th rarest type among moves, after Ice and before Poison.

Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Bug-type moves were physical, but they may now also be special depending on the attack.

Gen Move Category Contest Power Accuracy PP Target Description
IV Attack Order Physical Clever 90 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user calls out its underlings to pummel the target. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit.
IV Bug Bite Physical Cute 60 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user bites the target. If the target is holding a Berry, the user eats it and gains its effect.
IV Bug Buzz Special Beautiful 90 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user vibrates to generate a damaging sound wave. This may also lower the target's Sp. Def stat.
IV Defend Order Status Clever % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user calls out its underlings to shield its body, boosting its Defense and Sp. Def stats.
VI Fell Stinger Physical Cool 50 100% 25 (max 40)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
When the user knocks out a target with this move, the user's Attack stat is boosted drastically.
VII First Impression Physical 90 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
Although this move has great power, it works only on the first turn each time the user enters battle.
II Fury Cutter Physical Cool 40 95% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks by slashing the target with scythes, claws, or the like. This attack becomes more powerful if it hits in succession.
VIII G-Max Befuddle Physical % 3 (max 4)
     
     
All adjacent foes
A Bug-type attack that Gigantamax Butterfree use. This move inflicts the poisoned, paralyzed, or asleep status condition on opponents.
VIII G-Max Befuddle Special % 3 (max 4)
     
     
All adjacent foes
A Bug-type attack that Gigantamax Butterfree use. This move inflicts the poisoned, paralyzed, or asleep status condition on opponents.
IV Heal Order Status Clever % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user calls out its underlings to heal it. The user regains up to half of its max HP.
VI Infestation Special Cute 20 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is infested and attacked for four to five turns. The target can't flee during this time.
I Leech Life Physical Clever 80 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user drains the target's blood. The user's HP is restored by up to half the damage taken by the target.
VII Lunge Physical 80 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user makes a lunge at the target, attacking with full force. This also lowers the target's Attack stat.
VIII Max Flutterby Physical % 3 (max 4)
     
     
All adjacent foes
This is a Bug-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.
VIII Max Flutterby Special % 3 (max 4)
     
     
All adjacent foes
This is a Bug-type attack Dynamax Pokémon use. This lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.
II Megahorn Physical Cool 120 85% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
Using its tough and impressive horn, the user rams into the target with no letup.
I Pin Missile Physical Cool 25 95% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks by shooting sharp spikes at the target. This move hits two to five times in a row.
VII Pollen Puff Special 90 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks the enemy with a pollen puff that explodes. If the target is an ally, it gives the ally a pollen puff that restores its HP instead.
IX Pounce Physical 50 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks by pouncing on the target. This also lowers the target's Speed stat.
VI Powder Status Clever 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user covers the target in a combustible powder. If the target uses a Fire-type move, the powder explodes and damages the target.
V Quiver Dance Status Beautiful % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user lightly performs a beautiful, mystic dance. This boosts the user's Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed stats.
V Rage Powder Status Clever % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user scatters a cloud of irritating powder to draw attention to itself. Opposing Pokémon aim only at the user.
VII Savage Spin-Out Physical % 1 (max 1)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user binds the target with full force with threads of silk that the user spits using its Z-Power. The power varies, depending on the original move.
VII Savage Spin-Out Special % 1 (max 1)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user binds the target with full force with threads of silk that the user spits using its Z-Power. The power varies, depending on the original move.
III Signal Beam Special Beautiful 75 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user attacks with a sinister beam of light. This may also confuse the target.
IX Silk Trap Status % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Self
The user spins a silken trap, protecting itself from damage while lowering the Speed stat of any attacker that makes direct contact.
III Silver Wind Special Beautiful 60 100% 5 (max 8)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is attacked with powdery scales blown by the wind. This may also raise all the user's stats.
VIII Skitter Smack Physical 70 90% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user skitters behind the target to attack. This also lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.
II Spider Web Status Clever % 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user ensnares the target with thin, gooey silk so it can't flee from battle.
V Steamroller Physical Tough 65 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user crushes its target by rolling over the target with its rolled-up body. This may also make the target flinch.
VI Sticky Web Status Tough % 20 (max 32)
     
     
All foes
The user weaves a sticky net around the opposing team, which lowers their Speed stats upon switching into battle.
I String Shot Status Clever 95% 40 (max 64)
     
     
All adjacent foes
The user blows silk from its mouth that binds opposing Pokémon and harshly lowers their Speed stats.
V Struggle Bug Special Cute 50 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
All adjacent foes
The user attacks by struggling against opposing Pokémon. This also lowers their Sp. Atk stats.
III Tail Glow Status Beautiful % 20 (max 32)
     
     
Self
The user stares at flashing lights to focus its mind, drastically raising its Sp. Atk stat.
I Twineedle Physical Cool 25 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user damages the target twice in succession by jabbing it with two spikes. This may also poison the target.
IV U-turn Physical Cute 70 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
After making its attack, the user rushes back to switch places with a party Pokémon in waiting.
IV X-Scissor Physical Cool 80 100% 15 (max 24)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The user slashes at the target by crossing its scythes, claws, or the like as if they were a pair of scissors.
All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual move's page. Target data assumes user is in the lower left.

Abilities

Interacting with the Bug type

A Pokémon with Protean or Libero will become a Bug-type Pokémon if it uses a Bug-type move. A Pokémon with Color Change, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Bug-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Bug-type move, is sent out against a Bug-type opponent, is holding a Bug Memory, or is holding an Insect Plate or Buginium Z.

Gen Ability Description
V Rattled The Pokémon gets scared when hit by a Dark-, Ghost-, or Bug-type attack or if intimidated, which boosts its Speed stat.
III Swarm Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon's HP is low.
All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.

Exclusive Abilities

Only Bug-type Pokémon can have these Abilities. This does not include signature Abilities.

Gen Ability Description
III Compound Eyes The Pokémon's compound eyes boost its accuracy.
III Shield Dust Protective dust shields the Pokémon from the additional effects of moves.
III Swarm Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon's HP is low.
All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.

Items

Name Description
  Bug Gem A gem with an insect-like essence. When held, it strengthens the power of a Bug-type move one time.
  Bug Memory A memory disc that contains Bug-type data. It changes the type of the holder if held by a certain species of Pokémon.
  Bug Tera Shard On rare occasions, these shards form when a Tera Pokémon falls in battle and its Tera Jewel shatters.
  Buginium Z This is a crystallized form of Z-Power. It upgrades Bug-type moves to Z-Moves.
  Insect Plate An item to be held by a Pokémon. This stone tablet is imbued with the essence of bugs and boosts the power of the holder’s Bug-type moves.
  Net Ball A somewhat different Poké Ball that is more effective when catching Water- or Bug-type Pokémon.
  Silver Powder An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a shiny silver powder that boosts the power of the holder's Bug-type moves.
  Tanga Berry If a Pokémon holding this Berry is hit with a supereffective Bug-type move, the power of that move will be weakened.
All details are accurate to Generation IX games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page.

Cram-o-matic

Name
  Enigma Berry
  Grip Claw
  Honey
  Shed Shell

Notable Bug-type Trainers

Main article: Category:Bug-type Trainers
Gen Trainer Title Location
II  
Bugsy
Gym Leader Azalea Gym
IV  
Aaron
Elite Four Sinnoh Pokémon League
V  
Burgh
Gym Leader Castelia Gym
VI  
Viola
Gym Leader Santalune Gym
VII  
Guzma
Team Skull Boss
Pokémon Trainer
Shady House
IX  
Katy
Gym Leader Cortondo Gym

Icons

Core series

                               
Icon from
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, HeartGold and SoulSilver
Icon from
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Icon from
Generation IV
Icon from
Generation V
Icon from
Generation VI
Icon from
Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Icon from
Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!
Icon from
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Symbol icon from
Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword, Shield and HOME
Icon from
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet and Violet
Icon from
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Icon from
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Tera icon from
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Tera symbol icon from
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Side series

         
Icon from
Pokémon Stadium
Icon from
Pokémon Stadium 2
Icon from
Pokémon Colosseum
Icon from
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Icon from
Pokémon Battle Revolution

Spin-off games

                   
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Ranger
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Battrio
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Tretta
Symbol icon from
Pokémon GO
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Masters EX
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Mezastar
Symbol icon from
New Pokémon Snap
Symbol icon from
Pokémon Sleep

In the TCG

Main article: Grass (TCG)

Due to the decreased amount of types in the TCG, Bug-type Pokémon are generally listed as Grass-type Pokémon.

Grass-type Pokémon in the TCG are generally weak to Fire-type Pokémon and have no resistance. They are strong against some Fighting and Darkness Pokémon, and until Sword & Shield were strong against some Water types as well, whilst Metal Pokémon resisted it until the EX Power Keepers expansion set before this resistance was brought back in Sword & Shield.

Statistical averages

Overall

Stat
HP: 57.1
Attack: 60.95
Defense: 64.33
Sp.Atk: 55.84
Sp.Def: 55.99
Speed: 58.96
Total: 353.17


Fully evolved

Stat
HP: 72.06
Attack: 84.09
Defense: 76.47
Sp.Atk: 80.17
Sp.Def: 74.89
Speed: 79.74
Total: 467.42



Trivia

  • On average, Bug-type Pokémon have the lowest base HP, Special Attack, and base stat total of all types.
  • Bug is tied with Grass as the most resisted type, with seven types resisting each of them.
  • This is the only type:
  • The Bug type has been paired with every other type except for Dragon and Normal.
    • This makes the Bug type the only type to not have been paired up with Dragon.
  • Generation V introduced the most Bug-type Pokémon of any Generation, with 18, and Generation VI introduced the fewest Bug-type Pokémon, with three.
  • Generation IV introduced the most Bug-type moves of any Generation, with seven, and Generation IX introduced the fewest Bug-type moves, with two.
  • The Flying type is one of the two types most commonly paired with the Bug type, with the other type being Poison. However, there are a number of Bug types that are not Flying-types nor have the Ability Levitate despite being able to fly, such as Beedrill and Venomoth.
    • Despite this, the only Bug-type Pokémon that can learn the move Fly, Volcarona, Genesect, and Vikavolt, are not Flying-type Pokémon.
      • Out of these three Pokémon, Vikavolt is the only one that could not learn Fly in its introductory generation; Vikavolt was made able to learn Fly at level 50 and from TM06 in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
  • Until Platinum, several Bug-type Pokémon (Shuckle, Kricketot, Burmy, Wormadam, and Combee) were unable to learn any Bug-type moves naturally. Each of them can now learn Bug Bite by level-up.
  • In Generation I, the Bug type is super effective against Poison-type Pokémon, while the Poison type is super effective against Bug-type Pokémon. As such, this was the only case when two different types were ever super-effective against each other.
    • Additionally, since Generation I, the Bug and Fighting types are the only two separate types that resist each other.
  • The Bug type was the most common 4× weakness in Generation I, with 11 Pokémon doubly weak to it, mainly due to Poison type having a weakness to it at the time.
  • Each of the three first partner Pokémon types have a different effectiveness when attacking a pure Bug-type Pokémon (Grass does ½× damage, Water does 1× damage, and Fire does 2× damage).
    • This trait is also shared with pure Steel-type Pokémon.
  • No Pokémon gains the Bug type upon evolution that did not already have it. It shares this distinction with the Normal type.
    • Additionally, no Pokémon gains the Bug type upon changing forms with the exceptions of Arceus and Silvally, which can change into any type.
  • Of all Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level, 11 of the earliest-evolving Pokémon are of the Bug type.
  • Despite having no TMs that are of the Bug-type in Generation III, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen's internal data contains a sprite for Bug-type TMs.
  • All Bug-type moves are eligible to be used in Sky Battles.

In other languages

Language Title
  Japanese むし (虫) Mushi
Chinese Cantonese Chùhng
Mandarin 蟲 / 虫 Chóng
爬蟲 Páchóng
  Czech Hmyzí
  Danish Kryb
Insekt
  Dutch Insect
  Finnish Ötökkä
Hyönteinen
  French Insecte
  German Käfer
  Greek Εντόμου Entómou
  Hebrew חרק Kherek
  Hindi बग Bug
कीड़ा Keeda*
  Hungarian Bogár
  Indonesian Serangga
  Italian Coleottero
  Korean 벌레 Beolle
  Malaysian Serangga
  Norwegian Insekt
  Polish Robak*
Robaczy*
Bug*
Chrząszcz*
Portuguese   Brazil Inseto
Micróbio*
  Portugal Insecto
Inseto
  Romanian Insectă
  Russian Насекомое Nasekomoye
Жук Zhuk
Spanish   Latin America Insecto
  Spain Bicho
  Swedish Insekt
Kryp*
  Thai แมลง Malaeng
  Turkish Böcek
  Vietnamese Côn trùng