How to catch beetles that keep flying away

[J087]

There are 2 kinds of island palm tree beetles that fly away the moment you lay eyes on them, even when still being 2 squares away. At that distance you can swing all you want but the net won't catch them. When you step closer they fly off. I don't know their names because I never caught them.

How do you catch those beetles?

 

[Lassy]

You have to be walking super super slowly, that is the only way.

 

[terminator]

you have to walk up to them EXTREMELY slow.

 

[pengutango]

You have to sneak up to them. Press A and walk slowly. REALLY slowly, especially with the golden stag and horned atlas since they will fly away even if you're not all that close to them. >.<

 

[Adelee]

Only way i do it is creep holding down A and i SLOWLY walk towards them, by that its like im hardly even moving. Most of it is practice i guess.

 

[Mao]

Get your net and hold A. I usually creep up from the side because I noticed even when I creeped slowly directly infront they still fly away. Oh also, when they move side to side it means they're about to fly away so if they do, wait a second or till they stop

 

[Laurina]

Press down A slowly and flick the analog stick the direction of the tree (beetles usually don't fly away since this is the slowest you can move/creep). Once you're close enough you should be able to finally catch one.

 

[J087]

What do you define as "real slowly", because I'm already holding A down for each beetle which works fine for the elephant and atlas and such. How much slower can you be?

 

[ThomasNLD]

Press down A slowly and flick the analog stick the direction of the tree (beetles usually don't fly away since this is the slowest you can move/creep). Once you're close enough you should be able to finally catch one.

I do the exact same thing. I think its the best method.

 

[FireNinja1]

What do you define as "real slowly", because I'm already holding A down for each beetle which works fine for the elephant and atlas and such. How much slower can you be?

If you are pushing the circle pad all the way, it'll never work. Move the pad slightly, and you'll eventually be able to swing to capture.

 

[J087]

Hmmm... It worked.

I'm happy knowing how to work it, but it pains me knowing how many Hercules and Golden beetles have flown away. Not so much "Hakuna Matata" but I'll live. Thank you for making it possible for me to add more Bells into my bank account~

 

[kite]

Merely sneaking up by continuing stepping up slowly doesn't really help.

You have to sneak up by taking one step at a time.

Take a step, stop, step, stop again, step... until you're close enough to catch it.

I hope that's specific enough for you. ^^

 

[JellyBeans]

It also helps if you dig a hole in front of each tree so you don't get too close c:

 

[tinybutterfly75]

I agree with take a step, stop, take a step, stop, etc. You can get as close as you like doing that.

I planted a flower in front of some of my trees to remind me not to get too close.

At first I was getting way too close and the beetles would fly away because I was "missing" them. After I realized I needed to be a certain distance away from the tree when I swung my net my success at catching beetles increased dramatically.

Good luck!

 

[Silversea]

The palm tree beetles work as follows (I did tests on them). Basically each beetle has a tolerance. Golden stags have low tolerance, the commoner ones have a higher tolerance. Let's say the tolerance for each beetle is a number, and for each second you move near them that tolerance decreases. Its not totally speed that scares them off.

Let's say walking at maximum sneak speed (fully holding circle pad and holding A) reduces the tolerance of a beetle by 2 each second you are at this speed. The slowest sneak speed reduces it by 1. Normal walk speed reduces it by 4+ and running is like 10+. You can see my tolerance theory is true because if you walk super slowly up to the beetle, then walk slowly away and back it eventually flies off. Just walking at slow speed isn't the only variable to consider here. I've caught a golden stag at full walking speed, but its extremely hard!

The tolerance rating is as follows:

Goliath beetle -- High tolerance: You can get away with walking at maximum sneak speed, sometimes even at normal walk speed.

Cyclommatus, Elephant, Atlas -- Medium tolerance: You can just about get away with maximum sneaking speed. You can just about get within catching range by sneaking this fast, though if you time it badly it will fly away.

Golden stag and hercules -- Low tolerance: If you are not walking the slowest possible there is no way you can get within net range unless you are super lucky. If you are near the tree and one happens to spawn here you can walk at normal speed and still catch it,


I hope this clears it up for everyone.