This guide contains all of the details that players will need to catch this species for themselves and get the most out of them.
RELATED: Animal Crossing: New Horizons - How to Get Vegetables
Updated February 7, 2022 by Stephen LaGioia: It’s February, which means that, along with the bitter cold in much of the world, the large, noisy Cicadas have populated AC: New Horizons — in the Southern Hemisphere anyway — leaving collectible shells in their wake. The winter season has also brought with it a robust 2.0 update and the uniquely charming DLC, Happy Home Paradise. These factors have contributed to the thriving virtual ecosystem that is New Horizons.
With the game’s continuing momentum and the unique nature of the insect shells in question, it seemed like a good time to refresh and flesh out this list. Keep in mind that this guide will mostly focus on how to catch a Cicada Shell, rather than the live Cicada breeds available in NH.
When to Find Cicada Shells
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. To catch one, players simply need to run around their islands while paying special attention to the trunks of trees; the only places where these bugs can be found.
RELATED: How to Catch a Napoleonfish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
These shells can technically be found at any time of day. However, some players suggest that Cicada Shells can be found more easily between the hours of 5 pm and 7 pm. 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 at these times will truly improve players’ results, but fans that are really struggling to locate a Cicada Shell may still want to give it a try.
How to Catch a Cicada Shell
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.
Keep in mind: the shell will disappear if a player hits the tree with an axe or shakes it, or if they miss the shell and hit the tree with a net.
Summary Of The Best Way To Catch A Cicada Shell
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.
RELATED: Animal Crossing New Horizons: Pro Tips For Bug-Catching
Cicada Shell Model
One way in which the Cicada Shell does hold some value is in the form of a neat, displayable Cicada Shell Model. This is a miscellaneous furniture item in New Horizons that can be displayed in one’s house or yard.
To get one, find Flick and trade in 3 Cicada Shells. Flick makes appearances on players’ islands at random times. He’ll show up in the morning, and wander about the entire day. But he’ll take off after the day’s over, so be sure to take advantage when he does appear.
Keep in mind: Happy Home Paradise requires the players’ catalog to be unlocked, which is achieved after finishing the 27th vacation home.
More On Cicadas
As it’s been touched on, Cicadas are a distinct entity in Animal Crossing: New Horizons compared to the shells, which are naturally lifeless and still. While getting Cicada Shells are fairly simple in the game because of this, nabbing the live insects themselves is a bit trickier.
This section will give some brief tips on how to best secure them, and highlight some more information on Cicadas.
Cicadas are large, common insects, so they’re easy to spot, but can be tough to catch. Varieties currently in the game: Brown, Robust, Giant, Walker, and Evening Cicadas. They appear on trees from July to August from 8 am to 5 pm. The exception is the Walker Cicada, which appears August to September from 8 am to 5 pm, and the Evening Cicada, which is found from July to August from 4 am to 8 am, and 4 pm to 7 pm. Cicadas can be disturbed easily and will take off quickly despite their size, so it’s a good idea to approach them at an angle while tip-toeing. Walking slow and tapping A can work fine, but a more effective way is to hold A and release when in range. This will allow the player to sneak slowly and quietly while moving, and proves more effective. Brown Cicadas can be sold for 250 Bells, Robust for 300, Walkers for 400, Giant for 500, Evening for 550.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now for Nintendo Switch.
MORE: Every New Fish Added to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in July
