Orchid Mantis catching tips

[Nougat]

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I've seriously been trying to catch this one for the longest time, but to no avail. I can't seem to spot it, unless when it's flying away. I would really like to catch this one however, and preferably even two because I'd like to display one in my house

So if anyone has any worthwhile tips to share.. Please let me know.. Thank you!

 

[MapleSilver]

In case you don't already know, orchid mantises will only appear on white flowers. So if you're trying to catch one, try making a field of exclusively white flowers. I would suggest either tulips or roses, since they're just pure white. A lot of other white flowers have violet in them which might help conceal the mantis. Additionally, having all the flowers be the same model will make it easier to notice slight differences in one of them. If you see a flower that looks slightly pinker than usual, there's a good chance you've found one with an orchid mantis.

Good luck catching them! They're definitely one of the rarer insects.

 

[Nougat]

In case you don't already know, orchid mantises will only appear on white flowers. So if you're trying to catch one, try making a field of exclusively white flowers. I would suggest either tulips or roses, since they're just pure white. A lot of other white flowers have violet in them which might help conceal the mantis. Additionally, having all the flowers be the same model will make it easier to notice slight differences in one of them. If you see a flower that looks slightly pinker than usual, there's a good chance you've found one with an orchid mantis.

Good luck catching them! They're definitely one of the rarer insects.

Well I know they're only on white flowers.. But for some reason I can never spot them on them..
Maybe I should indeed make a field of only white flowers from one type, now I have flowers combined with other types and colours.
They're just so hard to spot!

 

[Cheryll]

I've always caught them at the island and never on mainland. Maybe try there for a while?

 

[hoodathotit]

They are hard to spot if your character is walking. Stop and survey the white-ish flowers and they are easy to see because they will be moving.

 

[LadyDestani]

What I would do is place some white flowers outside of a building like the train station, close enough that you can see them upon exiting but far enough away so you won't scare the orchid mantis. Then, I just go in and out of the building to reset the bug spawns. Each time I come out, I don't move right away. I stay still and scan the flowers for any movement. If I don't see anything, repeat until I find it.

 

[Strahberri]

I second what others said about the white flowers. In case you didn't know, the save and continue button resets all the bug and fish spawns, so maybe stay near your field and do that until one spawns, because I think they're kind of rare. Also, walk super slowly when youre looking because like you said most of the time you don't see them until you scare them off. It's all about patience, timing, and having good luck lol

 

[John Wick]

Well I know they're only on white flowers.. But for some reason I can never spot them on them..
Maybe I should indeed make a field of only white flowers from one type, now I have flowers combined with other types and colours.
They're just so hard to spot!

Not just plain white flowers, they're also on white pansies which are two toned.

I used to get them a lot on Jacobs Ladders too. ^_^

 

[Variety.Gamer 4438]

I've always caught them at the island and never on mainland. Maybe try there for a while?

I second this. Apparently, they are more common on the island? I don't know, I feel like it still took me a while to even find one.

Also, make sure you're trying to catch one at the right time. They are not an "all day" bug like other ones are (8AM-4PM all year is apparently this bug's best encounter time frame on the island). However, tours can run on their own time frame so even if you miss that time frame (and later than 5PM is when they stop showing all together) you can still catch them on tours anytime as long as it still shows daytime on the tour (and ofcourse you have access to the net).

I'm getting most of my information from thonky.com which seems to be a pretty reliable site btw.

P.S. Another thing I remember reading somewhere is, if you move fast enough to a flower without moving too fast, you can get the bug to lift its wings without it flying off, which could help in spotting one. Alternatively, placing bright-colored flowers, like red, next to white flowers could help with spotting one.

 

[John Wick]

Yep. On the island just put down some white pansies, roses, lillies and cosmos.

Walk in and out of the hut until one spawns.

I used to do this to spawn Birdwings. ^_^

 

[Cheryll]

Yeah, I've kinda noticed they appear more there. The green is different from the white luckily so it can stand out.

 

[Snowesque]

What I would do is place some white flowers outside of a building like the train station, close enough that you can see them upon exiting but far enough away so you won't scare the orchid mantis. Then, I just go in and out of the building to reset the bug spawns. Each time I come out, I don't move right away. I stay still and scan the flowers for any movement. If I don't see anything, repeat until I find it.

This was my exact process! Almost every time when I leave my house there would be one sitting on the Jacob's Ladder right outside my door.

 

[Nougat]

I've always caught them at the island and never on mainland. Maybe try there for a while?

I never even thought of trying to catch them on the island! Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try that.

They are hard to spot if your character is walking. Stop and survey the white-ish flowers and they are easy to see because they will be moving.

Well it's true that I'm always running around. I guess I'll have to be a little more patient and stare at the flowers

What I would do is place some white flowers outside of a building like the train station, close enough that you can see them upon exiting but far enough away so you won't scare the orchid mantis. Then, I just go in and out of the building to reset the bug spawns. Each time I come out, I don't move right away. I stay still and scan the flowers for any movement. If I don't see anything, repeat until I find it.

That's such a great tip! I'll do that and hope that brings some luck. I have never used that trick to reset the bug spawns, but now that I am nearing a complete catalogue I really want to get the last rarest ones.. So I guess that's when you need to use this trick. And have patience! Thanks!

I second what others said about the white flowers. In case you didn't know, the save and continue button resets all the bug and fish spawns, so maybe stay near your field and do that until one spawns, because I think they're kind of rare. Also, walk super slowly when youre looking because like you said most of the time you don't see them until you scare them off. It's all about patience, timing, and having good luck lol

Thanks! I'll definitely try that!

Not just plain white flowers, they're also on white pansies which are two toned.

I used to get them a lot on Jacobs Ladders too. ^_^

I'll assemble all my jacobs ladders and put them together in front of a building.. Combining all tips for maximum orchid mantis catching potential!

I second this. Apparently, they are more common on the island? I don't know, I feel like it still took me a while to even find one.

Also, make sure you're trying to catch one at the right time. They are not an "all day" bug like other ones are (8AM-4PM all year is apparently this bug's best encounter time frame on the island). However, tours can run on their own time frame so even if you miss that time frame (and later than 5PM is when they stop showing all together) you can still catch them on tours anytime as long as it still shows daytime on the tour (and ofcourse you have access to the net).

I'm getting most of my information from thonky.com which seems to be a pretty reliable site btw.

P.S. Another thing I remember reading somewhere is, if you move fast enough to a flower without moving too fast, you can get the bug to lift its wings without it flying off, which could help in spotting one. Alternatively, placing bright-colored flowers, like red, next to white flowers could help with spotting one.

Thanks for the tips! I have seen it lift its wings once, but then I tried to catch it while it was still doing that and it flew off anyway.. I'll just be more gentle and patient

 

[Cheryll]

To be honest, I've tried today. The green is a darker color so that kinda helps? Also, there are less bug variety, just gotta shoo the locusts and beetles away. If that doesn't work, my 3DS must hate my town.

 

[Nougat]

To be honest, I've tried today. The green is a darker color so that kinda helps? Also, there are less bug variety, just gotta shoo the locusts and beetles away. If that doesn't work, my 3DS must hate my town.

I'll give it a go on the train to work. Let's hope I find one!

 

[Nougat]

Thought I'd give you all a little update..
I managed to catch not only one, but TWO orchid mantis in the span of two days! Thanks for all the tips