Bugs are the essential ingredient for upgrading your potions in The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword HD. While they can be sold for a small handful of Rupees, infusing the insects into potent tinctures is presumably the best use for them. The significant buffs they provide can be a big advantage in challenging boss battles. However, before hunting for the critters, you’ll need a Bug Net. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to catch bugs and where to make use of them in the enchanting world of Skyward Sword.

How to Catch Bugs in Skyward Sword

The primary tool for catching bugs in Skyward Sword is a Bug Net. With the net equipped, slowly sneak up to a bug and swoop down with the Bug Net to capture them. To purchase the Bug Net, head over to Beedle’s Airshop in Skyloft, where he will sell you one for 50 Rupees. 

Keep in mind that swinging your Bug Net will frighten away any other bugs nearby. If you’re having trouble capturing the critters, use Glittering Spores to stun bugs to make them effortless to catch. You can also enhance your Bug Net to make bug-catching easier. The Big Bug Net upgrade can be obtained by crafting it in the Scrap Shop found at the Bazaar. The materials you’ll need are an Evil Crystal, three Tumbleweeds, and two Ancient Flowers. 

If you’re committed to finding more bugs, consider buying the Bug Medal from Beedle’s shop. It can mark the location of bugs on your map, making it much easier to farm the critters in a particular area. This unique item does cost a hefty 1,000 Rupees but can be well worth the investment if you looking to step up your bug-catching in Skyward Sword.

What Bugs Are Used For

If you’re looking to make some quick Rupees, find Strich, the insect fanatic at the Knight Academy. He’s quite stingy, as he only buys three types of bugs at a time. Luckily, you can just sleep in his bed to skip ahead until he fancies the insects you want to sell. It is important to point out that, later on, Strich will change his location to Bug Island (near Thunderhead) after you fight the Skyward Sword boss Bilocyte.

The other primary (and more beneficial) use of bugs in Skyward Sword is infusing them into potions. To do this, take all your potions to Bertie’s Potion Shop in the Bazaar. Give Bertie your bugs along with the potions you want to upgrade, and he’ll proceed to brew them into more powerful concoctions. Below is a list of all the bugs in Skyward Sword, their corresponding recipes for infused potions, and their value in Rupees.

Blessed Butterfly (5 Rupees)

  • Heart Potion+ (3)
  • Heart Potion++ (3)
  • Guardian Potion+ (3)

Woodland Rhino Beetle (20 Rupees)

  • Heart Potion+ (1)
  • Revitalizing Potion+ (2)
  • Revitalizing Potion++ (2)

Deku Hornet (1 Rupee) 

  • Heart Potion++ (3)
  • Revitalizing Potion+ (3)

Starry Firefly (30 Rupees) 

  • Guardian Potion+ (3)

Sky Stag Beetle (20 Rupees) 

  • Stamina Potion+ (2)
  • Air Potion (2)

Skyloft Mantis (10 Rupees) 

  • Air Potion+ (2) – Revitalizing Potion+ (2)

Volcanic Ladybug (20 Rupees) 

  • Heart Potion+ (1) – Stamina Potion+ (3)

Eldin Roller (40 Rupees) 

  • Heart Potion++ (1)
  • Guardian Potion+ (2)

Gerudo Dragonfly (30 Rupees) 

  • Stamina Potion+
  • Revitalizing Potion++

Sand Cicada (50 Rupees) 

  • Heart Potion++ (1)
  • Revitalizing Potion++ (1)

Faron Grasshopper (40 Rupees)

  • Stamina Potion+ (1)
  • Guardian Potion+ (1)

Lanayru Ant (20 Rupees) 

  • Revitalizing Potion++ (3)
  • Air Potion+ (2)

The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword HD is available on the Nintendo Switch.