Small but mighty, Bug-type Pokemon are sure to make your skin crawl! They are one of the 18 different types available in the Pokemon franchise. They were introduced in Pokémon Red & Green in 1996. As seen in the Pokemon anime, there are many iconic Bug types, with Ash having his own Butterfree.

Bug Pokemon are considered the weakest in the franchise, known for their tiny movesets and poor scaling ratio. Even catching a Bug-type in the wild might yield no damage-dealing moves.

Here's a handy Pokémon trainer field guide, listing every iconic Bug-type attack, Bug-type strengths, weaknesses and every Bug Pokemon in the franchise.

What are Bug Pokemon?

Bug Pokemon are the 6th most common Pokemon in the franchise, with over 90 species. While they were considered weak in Gen 1, the time of the Bug is slowly rising. They are becoming a popular addition to any Pokemon party, as they have the largest number of resistances.

It should come as no surprise that most Bug-type Pokemon are distinctly insect-like in their appearance, resembling anything from a butterfly to a praying mantis. They are characterized by their wings, multiple legs and hard exoskeletons. They traditionally have earthy color palettes with brown and green tones.

Bug-Type Weaknesses

Bug-type Pokemon have three main weaknesses trainers will need to watch out for Flying types and Rock types. Any Fire-type move will also pack a hefty punch against any Bug-type.

These Bug-type weaknesses are universal across all games, including the newer titles like Pokémon Go, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Bug-Type Strengths and Resistances

As well as having their own weaknesses, Bug-types are also extremely strong against other Pokémon, including Grass, Dark, and Psychic-type Pokémon.

Bug-type Pokemon are also entirely resistant to Fighting, Ground, and Grass-type moves.

Bug-Type Counters

When playing against Bug-Type Pokemon, the best Pokemon combine two of their weaknesses with their Primary and Secondary type.

Good choices include Ho-Oh (Fire/Flying), Charizard (Fire/Flying), Coalossal (Rock/Fire), and Aerodactyl (Rock/Flying).

Bug-Type Moves

There are some of the franchise's most recognizable and iconic Bug-Type moves, with a brief description.

  • Bug Buzz - The user vibrates its wings and generates a damaging sound wave, which can lower the target's special defense stats.
  • Defend Order - The user calls out to its underlings to shield its body, boosting its defense and special defense stats.
  • Fell Stinger - When the user knocks out a target, the user's attack stat is boosted dramatically.
  • Fury Cutter - The user attacks by slashing the target with its scythes or claws. This attack can become more powerful if it hits in succession.
  • Lunge - The user lunges towards their opponent, attacking with full force, lowering the target's attack stat.
  • Pollen Puff - The user attacks with a pollen puff that explodes. If the target is an ally, the pollen puff restores HP instead.
  • Pounce - The user attacks by pouncing on the target, lowering the target's speed stat.
  • Quiver Dance - The user lightly performs a mystical dance. This boosts all the user's stats.
  • Silk Trap - The user spins a silken trap, protecting itself from damage while lowering the Speed stat of any attacker.
  • String Shot - The user blows silk that binds opposing Pokémon, harshly dropping their speed stats.

All Bug Pokémon

As of Generation IX (Gen 9), introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, there are now 92 Bug-type Pokemon, or 9.06% of all existing Pokemon, making it the 6th most common type. Some Bug-Types are half-types with another quality, while others are pure.

Gotta catch them all! Here is the complete list of all Bug-type Pokémon, as seen in both the video games and the anime series.

Pure Bug-Type Pokémon

  • Caterpie
  • Metapod
  • Pinsir
  • Pineco
  • Wurmple
  • Silcoon
  • Cascoon
  • Volbeat
  • Illumise
  • Kricketot
  • Kricketune
  • Burmy
  • Karrablast
  • Shelmet
  • Acxcelgor
  • Scatterbug
  • Spewpa
  • Grubbin
  • Blipbug
  • Tarountula
  • Spidops
  • Nymble
  • Rellor

Dual-Bug Type Pokemon - Primary

  • Butterfree - Bug/Flying
  • Weedle - Bug/Poison
  • Kakuna - Bug/Poison
  • Beedrill - Bug/Poison
  • Paras - Bug/Grass
  • Parasect - Bug/Grass
  • Venonat - Bug/Poison
  • Venomoth - Bug/Poison
  • Scyther -Bug/Flying
  • Ledyba - Bug/Flying
  • Ledian - Bug/Flying
  • Spinarak - Bug/Poison
  • Ariados - Bug/Poison
  • Yanma - Bug/Flying
  • Scizor - Bug/Steel
  • Forretress - Bug/Flying
  • Shuckle - Bug/Rock
  • Heracross - Bug/Fighting
  • Beautifly - Bug/Flying
  • Surskit - Bug/Water
  • Dustox - Bug/Poison
  • Masquerarin - Bug/Flying
  • Nincada - Bug/Ground
  • Ninjask - Bug/Flying
  • Shedinja - Bug/Ghost
  • Wormadam - Bug/Grass/Ground/Steel (depending on the cloak)
  • Combee - Bug/Flying
  • Vespiquen - Bug/Flying
  • Mothim - Bug/Flying
  • Sewaddle - Bug/Grass
  • Swadloon - Bug/Grass
  • Leavanny - Bug/Grass
  • Venipede - Bug/Poison
  • Whirlipede - Bug/Poison
  • Scolipede - Bug/Poison
  • Dwebble - Bug/Rock
  • Crustle - Bug/Rock
  • Escavalier - Bug/Steel
  • Joltik - Bug/Electric
  • Durant - Bug/Steel
  • Larvesta - Bug/Fire
  • Volcarona - Bug/Fire
  • Genesect - Bug/Steel
  • Vivillion - Bug/Flying
  • Charjabug - Bug/Electric
  • Vikavolt - Bug/Electric
  • Cutiefly - Bug/Fairy
  • Ribombee - Bug/Fairy
  • Wimpod - Bug/Water
  • Golispod - Bug/Water
  • Buzzwole - Bug/Fighting
  • Pheromosa - Bug/Fighting
  • Dottler - Bug/Psychic
  • Orbeetle - Bug/Psychic
  • Kleavor - Bug/Rock
  • Lokix - Bug/Dark
  • Rabasca - Bug/Psychic
  • Slither Wing - Bug/Fighting

Half Bug-Type Pokémon - Secondary

  • Anorith - Rock/Bug
  • Armaldo - Rock/Bug
  • Skorupi - Poison/Bug
  • Dewpider - Water/Bug
  • Araquanid - Water/Bug
  • Sizzlipede - Fire/Bug
  • Centiskorch - Fire/Bug
  • Snom - Ice/Bug
  • Frosmoth - Ice/Bug

Final Thoughts

Despite their fragile appearances, a Bug type can be a welcome addition to any team. Hopefully this guide has given you a rough idea on all Bug-type weaknesses, strengths, and their counters. Now you can go out into the world and bug catch to your heart's content! Want more Pokémon content? We have a guide on Fairy-type Pokémon!

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FAQs About Bug-Type Pokemon

What are the best Bug-types?

Scizor is one of the strongest Bug Pokemon in the franchise, with excellent base stats even with its pre-evolution, Scyther. Bullet Punch is one of its best moves and must be learned. Lokix is another great Bug type, with the Sucker Punch move at level 40.

What are Bug-type weaknesses?

All Bug-types will be weak against Fire, Rock, and Flying-type Pokémon.

What are Bug-types strong against?

Bug types are extremely powerful against Dark, Psychic, and Grass Pokemon.

What is the weakest Bug-type?

Bug types are generally considered the weakest Pokemon in the franchise due to their lacklustre evolutions. The weakest Bug types are Weedle, Wurmple, and Caterpie.