The summer is a busy time for bugs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and more than 20 new species have just arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. One of these new ACNH bugs, though it is actually not quite a bug at all, is the Cicada Shell, and this guide contains all of the details that players will need to catch this species for themselves.
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Updated August 4th, 2021 by Mina Smith: The time for Cicada Shells has now come back around in Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the Northern Hemisphere. In order to make sure that those who missed to opportunity to nab a Cicada Shell in 2020 get one this year, this article has been updated to include more information and tips on how and when to catch a Cicada Shell. Although they don't sell for much at Nook's Cranny, it is important to catch at least one for the Museum and players' bug collection. Keep in mind that this is how to catch a Cicada Shell and not any of the live Cicada breeds available in ACNH.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Cicada Shells appear in the Northern Hemisphere in the months of July and August and in the Southern Hemisphere in January and February. During these months, Cicada Shells will spawn all day long, and to catch one players simply need to run around their islands while paying special attention the trunks of trees, the only places where these bugs can be found.
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Some players suggest that Cicada Shells can be found more easily between the hours of 5pm and 7pm. Additionally, other fans state that hunting for Cicada Shells when it is raining is a good approach. Unfortunately, it is difficult to say with a great deal of certainty that looking during these times will considerably improve a New Horizons player's results, but fans that are really struggling to locate a Cicada Shell may still want to give it a try.
There is no big trick to catching Cicada Shells in ACNH beyond looking in the correct locations during the correct months. They are quite simply a fairly rare bug, and finding one will require some patience on the part of the player. While this may come as a bit of surprise, considering the fact that Nook's Cranny will only offer 10 Bells per Cicada Shell, it is the state of affairs nonetheless.
There is one nice thing about looking for a Cicada Shell in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, though, and that is that this bug will not fly away if a player gets too close to it. This means that fans can run around without concern while hunting for a Cicada Shell, and those players that put the time in are sure to get one of these specimens for their museums in ACNH eventually.
In summary, these are the points players should keep in mind when it comes to catching a Cicada Shell:
- Search for the bugs in the Northern Hemisphere during July and August, which are the last two months of summer for this part of the world. For islands stationed in the Southern Hemisphere, summer lasts from December to February. Consequently, Cicada Shells will be available in January and February.
- Cicada Shells will not escape if players run up to them, so feel free to dart around while searching for these bugs.
- Cicada Shells will always spawn on tree trunks.
- If players are having trouble finding one, wait until it is raining between 5 and 7pm. That should greatly increase someone's chances of finding a Cicada Shell.
- Use the bug net on the Cicada Shell to catch it.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now for Nintendo Switch.
NEXT: Every New Fish Added to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in July
