I watched a cluster of trainers swarm a single PokéStop and felt my phone buzz with possibility. You’ve probably been there — a sudden surge of spawns, the promise of a new entry for your Pokédex. I’ll walk you through the Bug Out event so you don’t waste coins, time, or raid passes.
Pokemon GO Bug Out Event Start Date and Time
You can already see event timers flipping on gyms and stops in the app. The Bug Out event launches on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 and runs for six days.
- Start Date and Time: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time
- End Date and Time: Monday, March 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time
If you miss those windows, the increased spawns and boosted shiniess vanish — so plan a couple of play sessions early and late in the event.
Pokemon GO Bug Out Event Bonuses
On any street corner during an event you’ll notice players tapping Lure Modules as if they were flipping a jackpot. I recommend treating your Lures like small investments — they concentrate spawns and make shiny checks faster.
Here’s what Niantic is offering this week:
- Regular Lure Modules will attract different, event-specific Pokemon
- Paras, Combee, and Cutiefly attracted to regular Lure Modules will have an increased chance of being shiny
- Tier 1 GO Pass: 2× XP for catches with Nice throws or better
- Tier 2 GO Pass: 2× Candy for catching Pokemon
- Tier 2 GO Pass Deluxe: 3× Candy for catching Pokemon
Need PokéCoins? The in-game store sells small bundles (100 PokéCoins from $0.99 (€0.92)), so if you’re buying Lures for a long session, factor that into your plan.
If you’re using external tools, I use PokéNav for raid coordination and the official Pokemon GO tracker for basic timers — they speed up group play and reduce wasted passes.
Pokemon GO Bug Out Event Spawns
When an area fills with Bug-types, you’ll hear the chatter in local Discord and Telegram channels. The event leans heavy into insect lines, and one fresh face joins the wild roster.
Blipbug debuts in the wild during Bug Out. Evolve it with 25 Blipbug Candy to Dottler, and 100 Candy from Dottler to Orbeetle. Catching the first one completes a new Pokédex entry; right now Blipbug has no shiny available.
Sizzlipede and Centiskorch have shiny forms added — their odds are boosted for the duration, so this is when you chase them.
Other spawns you’ll see frequently:
| Pokemon | Type |
|---|---|
 Caterpie* |
Bug |
 Scyther* |
Bug / Flying |
 Dwebble* |
Bug / Rock |
 Sizzlipede* |
Fire / Bug |
 Nymble* |
Bug |
Pokemon marked with * can be shiny. Finding Blipbug for your Pokédex feels like uncovering a dusty attic — small reward, big satisfaction.
Which Pokemon will be featured during the Bug Out event?
Blipbug debuts, and the event spotlights Shiny Sizzlipede and Shiny Centiskorch. Expect the wild spawn list above plus Paras, Cutiefly, and Combee appearing via Lure Modules during specific time blocks.
Lure Module Spawns and Timings
When I sit at a coffee shop during an event, I time my Lures to cover the busiest windows. Regular Lure Modules will draw different Pokemon at set intervals through the week.
| Pokemon | Spawn Time |
|---|---|
 Paras* |
March 17, 10:00 a.m. – March 19, 10:00 a.m. |
 Cutiefly* |
March 19, 10:00 a.m. – March 21, 10:00 a.m. |
 Combee* |
March 21, 10:00 a.m. – March 23, 8:00 p.m. |
Sizzlipede* |
March 17, 10:00 a.m. – March 23, 8:00 p.m. |
These timed Lure windows are when shiny odds for the marked species get a significant bump. If you want Combee or Cutiefly, plan your Lure placement around their windows.
The event’s pull feels like a magnet; plazas and parks collect players quickly, which helps if you’re chasing raid groups or trading.
When does the Pokemon GO Bug Out end?
The Bug Out event concludes on March 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time. Set a reminder so you don’t miss the final shiny pushes and raid spawns.
Raids
I check raid lobbies in local Discords before leaving the house to avoid soloing the wrong boss. Expect a mix of Tier 1 and Tier 3 raid bosses across the event.
| Pokemon | Raid Tier | Type |
|---|---|---|
 Blipbug |
Tier 1 | Bug |
 Pinsir* |
Tier 3 | Bug |
 Scizor* |
Tier 3 | Bug / Steel |
 Kleavor* |
Tier 3 | Bug / Rock |
Tip: check type charts before raiding — Bug/Steel Scizor takes very different counters than pure Bug Pinsir. Use raid groups in Discord, PokéNav, or local Telegram to be efficient.
How long does the Pokemon GO Bug Out event last?
The Bug Out event lasts six days, from March 17 to March 23, 2026.
Field Research Tasks and Rewards
At stops you’ll see event-themed tasks appear once the event begins — players report that early spins already yield event research. Right now Niantic hasn’t published the full task list.
Expect encounter rewards, candy payouts, and perhaps event stickers or items. I’ll update strategies once the tasks are visible; until then, spin everything you can and save fast catches for when you’ve read task text.
Are you hunting the new shiny bug Pokémon in parks or raiding solo — and which playstyle will you bet on this weekend?