The Bug Catching Contest

One of the staple events from Gold & Silver makes a return in HeartGold & SoulSilver; The Bug Catching Contest. The Bug Catching Contest is a special contest that takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays and has you sent out into the National Park to capture Bug Pokémon.

You get sent in with 20 Competition Balls and you have to capture the best Pokémon. However, unlike the Safari Zone, you get to choose 1 of your Pokémon to go in with and you have to battle the Pokémon with that Pokémon.

After you have defeated the Elite Four and obtained the National Pokédex, more Pokémon are added to be captured such as Wurmple.


Capturing Pokémon

With the capturing process of Pokémon, you can only keep 1 Pokémon from the Bug Catching Contest on you at any one time. With that in mind, you have to consider all factors after capturing a second Pokémon. Once a second Pokémon is captured, you get prompted whether or not you wish to keep it or to replace the previous Pokémon

The factors you should factor are the Pokémon's species, their level and their stats. When you replace the previously caught Pokémon, you will no longer have it at all so don't take the decision lightly.


Prizes

Once you have either caught a Pokémon you think will win, or have run out of Competition Balls, you can go to the exit and decide to opt out of the rest of the contest. You will be taken to the fountain in the National Park and prizes will be given based on your Pokémon. The top prize is often different so it's best to always try to enter and win

First Second Third Other
Sun Stone
Water Stone
Fire Stone
Thunder Stone
Leaf Stone
Dusk Stone
Shiny Stone
Dawn Stone
Oval Stone
Everstone Sitrus Berry Shed Shell



Below at the Pokémon you will find in the Bug Catching Contests

Bug Catching Contest - Pre Nat Dex

CaterpieWeedleMetapodKakunaParasVenonatButterfreeBeedrillScytherPinsir
20%20%10%10%10%10%5%5%5%5%
Min LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax Level
718718918918101710161215121513141314

Bug Catching Contest - Post Nat. Dex Tuesday

CaterpieWeedleMetapodKakunaParasVenonatButterfreeBeedrillScytherPinsir
20%20%10%10%10%10%5%5%5%5%
Min LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax Level
2436243626362636273425322730273027282728

Bug Catching Contest - Post Nat. Dex Thursday

WurmpleNincadaSilcoonVolbeatKricketotKricketuneDustoxCombeeScytherPinsir
20%20%10%10%10%10%5%5%5%5%
Min LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax Level
2436263625322636273027302532273427282728

Bug Catching Contest - Post Nat. Dex Saturday

WurmpleNincadaCascoonIllumiseKricketotKricketuneBeautiflyCombeeScytherPinsir
20%20%10%10%10%10%5%5%5%5%
Min LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax LevelMin LevelMax Level
2436263625322636273027302532273427282728