Bug (type)

The Bug type (Japanese: むしタイプ Bug type) is one of the eighteen types. Notable Trainers who specialize in Bug-type Pokémon are Bugsy of Azalea Town, Aaron of the Sinnoh Elite Four, Burgh of Castelia City, Viola of Santalune City, and Team Skull Boss Guzma. Prior to changes in Generation IV, all damaging Bug-type moves were physical, but they may now also be special depending on the attack.

Statistical averages

Overall

Stat
HP: 57.23
Attack: 72.73
Defense: 72.17
Sp.Atk: 55.93
Sp.Def: 65.12
Speed: 62.81
Total: 385.99


Fully evolved

Stat
HP: 67.11
Attack: 91.61
Defense: 84.46
Sp.Atk: 70.80
Sp.Def: 80.54
Speed: 75.37
Total: 469.89


Battle properties

Generation I

Offensive   Defensive
Power Types   Power Types
 
 
 
½×  
 
 
½×  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None None


Generations II to V

Offensive   Defensive
Power Types   Power Types
 
 
 
½×  
 
 
½×  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None None


Generation VI onwards

Offensive   Defensive
Power Types   Power Types
 
 
 
½×  
 
 
½×  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None None


Characteristics

Defense

On average, Bug Pokémon have the lowest base HP and base stat total of all types.

Offense

Bug is tied with Grass as the most resisted type, with seven types resisting each of them. These resistant types are most effectively covered by Water-type attacks.

On average, Bug Pokémon have the lowest base Special Attack of all types.

Contest properties

In Contests, Bug-type moves do not favor any one Contest category.

Pokémon

As of Generation VII, there are 77 Bug-type Pokémon or 9.5% of all Pokémon, making it the 6th most common type.

Pure Bug-type Pokémon

# Name
010   Caterpie
011   Metapod
127   Pinsir
204   Pineco
265   Wurmple
266   Silcoon
268   Cascoon
313   Volbeat
314   Illumise
401   Kricketot
402   Kricketune
412   Burmy
Plant Cloak
  Burmy
Sandy Cloak
  Burmy
Trash Cloak
588   Karrablast
616   Shelmet
617   Accelgor
664   Scatterbug
665   Spewpa
736   Grubbin

Half Bug-type Pokémon

Primary Bug-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2
012   Butterfree Bug Flying
013   Weedle Bug Poison
014   Kakuna Bug Poison
015   Beedrill Bug Poison
  Mega Beedrill Bug Poison
046   Paras Bug Grass
047   Parasect Bug Grass
048   Venonat Bug Poison
049   Venomoth Bug Poison
123   Scyther Bug Flying
127   Mega Pinsir Bug Flying
165   Ledyba Bug Flying
166   Ledian Bug Flying
167   Spinarak Bug Poison
168   Ariados Bug Poison
193   Yanma Bug Flying
205   Forretress Bug Steel
212   Scizor Bug Steel
  Mega Scizor Bug Steel
213   Shuckle Bug Rock
214   Heracross Bug Fighting
  Mega Heracross Bug Fighting
267   Beautifly Bug Flying
269   Dustox Bug Poison
283   Surskit Bug Water
284   Masquerain Bug Flying
290   Nincada Bug Ground
291   Ninjask Bug Flying
292   Shedinja Bug Ghost
413   Wormadam
Plant Cloak
Bug Grass
  Wormadam
Sandy Cloak
Bug Ground
  Wormadam
Trash Cloak
Bug Steel
414   Mothim Bug Flying
415   Combee Bug Flying
416   Vespiquen Bug Flying
469   Yanmega Bug Flying
540   Sewaddle Bug Grass
541   Swadloon Bug Grass
542   Leavanny Bug Grass
543   Venipede Bug Poison
544   Whirlipede Bug Poison
545   Scolipede Bug Poison
557   Dwebble Bug Rock
558   Crustle Bug Rock
589   Escavalier Bug Steel
595   Joltik Bug Electric
596   Galvantula Bug Electric
632   Durant Bug Steel
636   Larvesta Bug Fire
637   Volcarona Bug Fire
649   Genesect Bug Steel
666   Vivillon Bug Flying
737   Charjabug Bug Electric
738   Vikavolt Bug Electric
742   Cutiefly Bug Fairy
743   Ribombee Bug Fairy
767   Wimpod Bug Water
768   Golisopod Bug Water
794   Buzzwole Bug Fighting
795   Pheromosa Bug Fighting

Secondary Bug-type Pokémon

# Name Type 1 Type 2
347   Anorith Rock Bug
348   Armaldo Rock Bug
451   Skorupi Poison Bug
751   Dewpider Water Bug
752   Araquanid Water Bug

Moves

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. Critical hits land more easily.
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 generates a damaging sound wave by vibration. 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, raising 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 rises drastically.
VII First Impression Physical 90 100% 10 (max 16)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
Although this move has great power, it only works the first turn the user is in battle.
II Fury Cutter Physical Cool 40 95% 20 (max 32)
     
     
Any adjacent Pokémon
The target is slashed with scythes or claws. This attack becomes more powerful if it hits in succession.
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 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.
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
Sharp spikes are shot at the target in rapid succession. They hit 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.
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. Opponents 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.
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.
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 stat upon switching into battle.
I String Shot Status Clever 95% 40 (max 64)
     
     
All adjacent foes
The opposing Pokémon are bound with silk blown from the user's mouth that harshly lowers the Speed stat.
V Struggle Bug Special Cute 50 100% 20 (max 32)
     
     
All adjacent foes
While resisting, the user attacks the opposing Pokémon. This lowers the Sp. Atk stat of those hit.
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 or claws 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 Color Change, Protean, Imposter, RKS System, or Multitype will become a Bug-type Pokémon if (respectively) it is hit with a Bug-type move, uses 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 Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a Dark, Ghost, or Bug move.
III Swarm Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble.
All details are accurate to Generation VI 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 Boosts the Pokémon's accuracy.
III Swarm Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble.
III Shield Dust Blocks the additional effects of attacks taken.
All details are accurate to Generation VI games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual Ability's page.

Items

Name Description
  Bug Gem A gem with an ordinary 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.
  Buginium Z It converts Z-Power into crystals that upgrade Bug-type moves to Bug-type Z-Moves.
  Insect Plate An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a stone tablet that boosts the power of Bug-type moves.
  Silver Powder An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a shiny silver powder that will boost the power of Bug-type moves.
  Tanga Berry If held by a Pokémon, this Berry will lessen the damage taken from one supereffective Bug-type attack.
All details are accurate to Generation VII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page.

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.

Bug-type Pokémon in the TCG are generally weak to Fire-type Pokémon and have a resistance to Fighting-types. They are strong against Fighting and Water, whilst Metal Pokémon resisted it until the EX Power Keepers expansion set.

Trivia

  • 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 Generations II and III introduced the fewest Bug-type moves, with three.
  • 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, despite being able to fly, that are not Flying types, nor have the Ability Levitate, such as Beedrill and Venomoth.
    • Despite this, the only Bug-type Pokémon that can learn the move Fly, Volcarona and Genesect, are not Flying types.
  • Until Pokémon Platinum, several Bug-type Pokémon (Shuckle, Kricketot, Burmy, Wormadam, and Combee) were unable to learn any Bug-type moves naturally. Each of them is now able to 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.
  • 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.
  • No Pokémon gains the Bug type upon evolving that did not already have it. It shares this distinction with the Normal type.
  • Of all Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level, all of the 10 earliest-evolving Pokémon are of the Bug type.
  • The Bug and Fighting type are the only two separate types that are not very effective against each other.

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 Harak
  Hungarian Bogár
  Indonesian Serangga
  Italian Coleottero
  Korean 벌레 Beolle
  Malaysian Serangga
  Norwegian Insekt
  Polish Robak
Chrząszcz
Portuguese   Brazil Inseto
  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