The Bug Catching Event in Pokémon GO has been announced. For the bug collectors among you, there are plenty of exciting goals.
When does the Bug Catching Event start? The start is on Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 AM. The end is a week later on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
Which new Pokémon will appear? You can look forward to the debut of Sensect. Its final evolution was already seen in the notes of the first teaser for the new season, now its debut is imminent.
Sensect is a Bug-type Pokémon from the eighth generation and has two evolutions: Keradar and Maritellit. The latter also has a Gigantamax form, but we’ll probably have to wait a little longer for that. In Pokémon GO, the evolutions will cost 25 and 100 candies.
How do I catch Sensect? As of now, Sensect will first appear in Stage 1 raids. You can also catch it as part of the new GO Pass, which will be active during the event. Sensect will be available in the free version of the pass.
But even aside from Sensect, the Bug Event has a lot to offer.
Special Shiny Chances in the Bug Event
You have a better chance to secure three Pokémon as Shiny in the new event:
- Paras
- Wadribie
- Wommel
What you need to keep in mind: The three have an increased Shiny chance when attracted by normal lures. However: Each of the three Pokémon has a specific timeframe in which it is attracted.
- Paras: March 17, 10:00 AM to March 19, 10:00 AM
- Wommel: March 19, 10:00 AM to March 21, 10:00 AM
- Wadribie: March 21, 10:00 AM to March 23, 8:00 PM
All three will be attracted simultaneously with Thermopod, which does not have an increased Shiny chance. Especially Wadribie could be interesting for many, as only female Wadribie can evolve into Honweisel. Accordingly, Shiny-Honweisel are quite rare. Here you might have a better opportunity to get one.
Otherwise, you will encounter Raupy, Lithomith, Thermopod, Micrick, and Sichlor in the wild. In raids, Sensect, Pinsic, Scherox, and Axantor will appear.
GO Pass during the event: The free GO Pass will be unlocked at the start of the event. The pass includes Sensect, other event Pokémon, and typical rewards such as lures, XP, Stardust, and more. There is also a paid Deluxe version that offers more bonuses.
The pass also includes two milestones: At Level 1, you will unlock double catch XP for nice, great, and excellent throws.
At Level 2, double catch candies will follow. In the Deluxe version, there are triple candies.
The Bug Catching Event is an event for collectors hunting for new Pokémon or fresh Shinies. However, it does not represent the only interesting date coming up next month. Alongside it, the start of the new season is also imminent, as well as plenty of other events – all in March 2026 in Pokémon GO can be found here.
