I found 2 arantulas and 1 scorpian today. The first tarantula, I ran into, and he got me. The second one got me because I didn't run fast enough, and forgot about the net thingy, and the scorpian got me because I was stupid to not notice him right away.

Does anyone know if having lots of trees affects Tarantulas and Scorpions spawning? It would really help me out!

Making sure you aren't carrying your net is also a myth! I have caught loads of tarantula and scorpion with my net out even before I have spotted them, you just have to be really slow.

I don't think it matters how many trees you have. Shoot, that's where they ambush me!

I wish they were easier to catch...

Sometimes they are, but most of the time I'm so scared of getting bit, I think I make it harder on myself. LOL!

I used to do a lot of tarantula and scorpion hunting. They really scared me at first but I got used to them and got quite good at catching them. My town is full of weeds and items at the moment so I won't be able to find any until I clean my town.

When I used to hunt for tarantulas and scorpions, I chopped down a lot of trees and dug the stumps up but left an area of trees near the top of my town (as this was where tarantulas and scorpions hardly spawned for me and I still wanted ton be able to catch other bugs). This leaves a lot of open space so you may get more tarantulas and scorpions spawning and it will be easier to spot them.

When I used to hunt for them, I noticed they mainly spawned on edges of cliffs, at the bottoms of cliffs and near the beach. There were a few that spawned in different places like in open spaces and near the river but this didn't occurr that much.

As for catching them, my method I used to use for catching them was to find 1 (obviously), then move a safe distance away from it and take out my net. Then when it wasn't looking, slowly creep up behind it and when you get close enough, swing your net and hope you catch it. If you miss it, your stuffed!

There were a few times where I got spotted by them from quite a distance away from where they were. So they obviously start running at you. You just have to swing at the correct time.

Hope this helps

I chopped down all my trees (except four foreign fruit trees and all of my coconut trees) to remodel my town but I noticed a bunch of scorpions and tarantulas have been appearing. (It's so scary omg)

I caught a lot of scorpions (I use the cliff method). The tarantulas are harder for me... maybe because they scare me. x) But I got used to them and pretty much figured out their timing. They're not really as fast as I thought! I chase them around to an area where there's no water then stand back so they're at, say, the top of my screen. Then I take out my net and swing. Then I shudder when my character holds up the nasty thing. Geez, put it in your pocket already. D:

I have caught all but the Giant Petaltail. It took me 3-4 day's to catch the Tarantula, and 2-3 day's to catch the Scorpion. I managed to catch an extra Scorpion, so I gave it to the guy who run's the Bug Contest. It was worth 88 points and I won.

does anyone know if cutting down trees helps improve spawning of tarantula/scorpion?or does having trees help?

Also I am guessing they do not come out on days you have rain? I playyed yesterday and saw none but it rained earlier. I did catch a few beetles though.

They don't come out when it rains.

Chopping down trees usually helps. I recommend chopping down a load of trees in a certain area (maybe a cliffy area where they like to spawn) and see if you find any more than you usually do. Chopping trees also helps to see them easily.

You will still find them if you don't chop down your trees.

In my previous town I have caught a tarantula using the ramp method, but never a scorpion. In my present town I haven't caught any! A few days ago, I was creeping up on a tarantula, and it was just scuttling about as it couldn't see me, and then PLOP. It fell in the river!

- I've read posts here saying about lack of trees could help? I have LOADS of trees and have not sighted many. Is this why?

I've found that the best way to maximize you chances of encountering Tarantulas, Scorpions, Banded Dragonflies, and Giant Petaltails is to cut down any trees that are big enough to house insects on the bark and remove the stumps.  It's even better if you have almost no grass, but I understand how hard it would be to destroy your town just to catch bugs. (Hey, at least we can control some of the factors.)

It also seems that Giant Petaltails only seem to appear when your town gate is open.  If anyone can help me verify it, I'd appreciate it.  Wouldn't it be fitting, though.  We would have insects that don't appear when gates are open (Tarantulas, Scorpions, and Bees) and one that will ONLY appear when the gate is open (Giant Petaltails).

The only reason that I'm putting my reputation on the line is because it seems odd that for two days, I found not a single Giant Petaltail and, as soon as I opened my gates, I can't stop finding Giant Petaltails.  At first, I couldn't find any Giant Petaltails.  Now, all four of my charaters have one.

Hello all. I have been reading these forums for a while now, but this is the  first time I have ever posted anything, ..so please keep this in mind and be patient with me.

I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone who has contributed to this topic.. it has been very helpful! Thanks to the advice I found here my character, Oatmeal, has finally gotten his Golden Net! He caught his final bug, the Giant Petaltail yesterday, August 8th.

The advice that helped me the most was to do the following.,

I selected a single signpost in my town of BerryBog, and basically camped out next to it.. standing just behind the signpost with my Silver Net already out.

I picked a signpost along the southwest beach area of my town. and waited there for the full three hours.. for a few days.

I also opened my towns gate up.. and I think that helped.

Actually it was funny what took place, because when the Petaltail landed on my sign (right in front of me and my net) and I very excitedly went to press the button.. I must have moved very slightly.

The net hit the signpost, but it landed in the wrong spot, and to my ABSOLUTE HORROR the Petaltail of course got spooked and flew away..

I was heartbroken. After I had waited so long.. I failed!!

Well, at this point, I figured I had nothing else to lose.

Even though there was still time before the Petaltails "left" for the day.. I thought I would never get another chance like that. But I figured I would try randomly looking through my Town anyway.

I entered the Museum and came out, thus resetting the bugs. and decided to go to a different signpost.

As I approached the new signpost (feeling lousy) I was stunned to see a Giant Petaltail slowly settle on the sign I was heading for just as I arrived on the scene.

On instinct I swung my Net.. and somehow I got it right.. and this time I got the beast!!

So, again, Big Thank You's go out to all who contributed to this topic.

And want to offer some encouragement to others still trying to catch all the insects (or fish).

Try the things I have mentioned.. they may help.

Thanks for reading this!

What in the world are cliff tricks?

You are right about the no net thing and just going slowly! Thanks

Hi.. I am not sure.. but I think the phrase you mentioned, "cliff tricks", probably refers to a method of attempting to catch the Scorpion or Tarantula.

I think this method somehow involves a player standing at the top of a cliff (on the edge of it) and swinging their net out, to catch either a Scorpion or Tarantula which is standing at the bottom of the same cliff.

I am not sure this "method" of catching them would work.. I have read many things.. some of which say that such a method would not work.. while others claim that this worked for them.

I caught both the Scorpion and Tarantula the "old fasioned way" by moving very very slowly (like many folks in this topic have written), ..and by of course getting very lucky!

Being in just the right place at the right time (in other words having "real life" luck) helps a lot!!

Best of Luck to you all!

The ramp method is a brilliant way of catching the Tarantula and Scorpion.
In my old town, I caught a tarantula this way. You simply go to the the bottom of the ramp when there is a tarantula or scorpion nearby, take out your net, and it will come running to you, but the ramp will be in the way! But you can still get it by swinging your net. And if you miss it, you can try again, because it still wont be able to eat you.

Guess what, in my new town I have not caught a scorpion or tarantula yet - but I have donated a tarantula to the museum! Basically, Mathilda asked me to give her my moray eel in exchange for a tarantula. I was shocked, but accepted her offer and ran off to donate it.

I apologize if a similar trick has been posted before; I admit that I did not read all of the replies to this thread.

In any case, I method of mine for catching the tarantula and scorpion is as follows:

I always walk around with my net unequipped while hunting bugs at night, only whipping it out when I am catching one, then stowing it again. As soon as I see a tarantula or scorpion, or hear it, I FREEZE immediately and do not move a muscle. I've found that more often than not, if you stay perfectly still, the tarantula/scorpion will crawl right up to you! I've had them literally at my feet. While that's dandy and all, I wait until the insect moves away enough for me to whip my net out and nab it. Sometimes I have to maneuver myself a bit, which I do by walking EXTREMELY slowly... Teeny tiny little baby steps. And then I slam my net onto the bug.

I know, seems like a roundabout way to get one, but hey, it works for me! Key point to remember are:

1) No net while walking around.

2) FREEZE when you see/hear them. Really.

3) More often than not, it will come to you.

4) Maneuver until at a good distance.

5) Quick-equip net and slam it down onto the bug.

P.S. I do have to say that even when not threatened and running away, the tarantula and spider seem a bit... well... lacking in the smarts department. While you're waiting for them to get close to you/walk away from you so that you can get a good shot in, they may stroll right into the river or ocean. D'oh!

I just had quite a weird experience!

I wasn't having any luck at first until I decided to pay a visit to Katrina. She told me to go about my own business as usual. So I returned to my town and in the first few minutes I found a tarantula. I was quite shocked as i had just spent an hour looking for one. Anyways, I feel a bit stupid because I was admiring it until it ran away and jumped off the cliff. I had no idea they were able to jump! So, I lost my chance.

About a few seconds later I saw a scorpion, but it run off into a pond.

I'm still glad I was able to find them, even if I didn't catch them.

Thanks for the information! This will definetely help me catch a Petaltail.
I finally encountered one last night, but lost sight of it soon after.

This is tremendously helpful, thanks! I wish I had read this about a week ago, I could have gotten that Giant Petaltail that I saw zooming around. *sigh*
There are 2 things I'd like to contribute:
1) Giant Petaltails do come out when your gates are closed. I personally saw one a few days ago, and I haven't opened my gates in several months.
2) The best time to catch the bee is right before you see them. By the time they're on the screen it's too late, but if you do it too early, they'll come anyways. I've caught 3 bees in about 1 week using this method, so I can vouch for it. Of course, I got stung about twice as many times.

I have only the giant petaltail left to catch for my bug journal.  But i cant seem to get a single one to spawn. I cut down all of my trees including my coconut trees. It's august and i start at 4 pm but i only see banded dragonflies. After five pm i walk furrows in my town and see nothing at all.  I'm about to go out of my mind. I guess i'm wondering if i need to get rid of my flowers too? I have a ton of them. Gold roses by the hundreds, not to mention regular flowers and hybrid beds for decor. But i'm at my wits end and may consider it.

Dang man where was this when I was trying to catch these  bugs for the first time )x

I only just noticed DarkAnnie's post asking about the Giant Petaltails.  My advice for catching one would be to chose one of your signposts and stand right behind it and wait the full time period they are out each day.

Take a look at my other post in this topic just a ways above this one for what worked for me.  I would keep the flowers their presence might help the Giant Petaltails spawn more often. My post should be on this same page or close to it.  Good Luck!! You can do it!