Meet the Real-life Version of your Favourite Bug-type Pokémons here

Pokémons being heavily inspired by the real world creatures, it's not uncommon to see a real life animal that resembles a pokémon or even looks exactly like it which is also a reason you see so many articles and videos with the title "Real life pokemons" or "Pokémon based on real life creatures".

But sadly, no posts with the title "meet real life Bug pokemons" which is quite disappointing as unlike the other pokémon-types, bug-type is one of those pokémon-types which have highest no. of pokémons based upon the real world creatures .

So scouring the web for insects which resembles or even completely look like the fan-favourite bug type pokémons and compiling a list of them wasn't a bad idea for a blogpost.

Let's get started!

Green Bottle Blue Tarantula

Meet green bottle blue tarantula (chromatopelma cyaneopubescens), the real-life equivalent of Galvantula, the renowned sticky webber from Unova.

Gbb.Tarantula are a new-world species of tarantula native to the Paraguná peninsula . They are not known to use electro webs but are mildly venemous and have urticating hairs which they are known to use, when stratled.

Incase, you have become a fan of Gbb. Tarantula there's a good news for you!

You can keep it as a pet, but keep in mind that when it grows up, it will look less galventul-ish (the spider in the image is a juvenile).

Spiny Orb Weaver Spider

Spiny orb weaver spider or the star spider is a species of spiny orb weaver spider famous for its beautiful brightly coloured hard shell and six spines (3 on each side) which also gives it a close resemblence to the torch pokémon, Larvestra.

Its genus name Gasteracantha was coined from the Latin word gaster meaning 'abdomen' and acantha meaning 'thorn'.

The species can be found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions and in america's. Sexual dimorphism is seen among the member of species( Males lacks bright colours, spines and are usually lot smaller than the females ).

The species have many different colour morphs like

Cecropia Moth

There is probably no other creature which is more Volcarona-looking than the Cecropia moth.

The species was first described bytes Carl Linnaeus in his 1758. It is the largest known native moth of North America with average wingspan of cm and can be found all across North America.

These Moths are a sexually dimorphic species. Females usually have a larger wingspan whereas males have bigger antenna to detect pheromones.

Saharan Silver Ants

The Sahara Desert is a tough place, with extreme temperatures ranging from 50°C during the day to near-freezing at night. However, there is one creature that has adapted to this environment and stands out for its resilience and impressive abilities - the Saharan silver ant (Cataglyphis bombycina). Interestingly, this ant shares many similarities with the Pokemon Durant, making it a fascinating real-life counterpart to this popular video game creature.

The Saharan silver ant, also known as Cataglyphis bombycina, is a desert-dwelling ant that can be found in the Sahara desert. These ants have evolved to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth, and to cope with these extreme conditions, they have developed some incredible adaptations that allow them to thrive in the harsh desert environment.

One of the most notable adaptations of the Saharan silver ant is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures. They produce what are called heat shock proteins (HSPs). These HSPs allow cellular functions to continue even at very high body temperatures. Without producing HSPs in anticipation of extreme heat, they would die before the proteins could have their effect. Silver ants also have uniquely shaped hairs with triangular cross-sections that cover their bodies and keep them cool in two ways. These hairs reflect visible and near-infrared light and are emissive in the mid-infrared spectrum, serving as an antireflection layer that enhances the ants' ability to release excess heat. This passive cooling effect works even in full sunlight. This reflective coating also gives them their distinctive appearance, which is similar to Durant's shiny silver coloration.

Alongside being one of the toughest, they are also the fastest of the 12,000 known species of ant, clocking a velocity of 855 millimeters per second (over 1.9 miles per hour or 3.1 kilometers per hour).

Another interesting feature of the Saharan silver ant is their unique navigation system. These ants have an internal compass that allows them to navigate the desert terrain and find their way back to their nest. They also use the position of the sun to orient themselves.

Japanese Bee Fly

Cutiefly is a species of bug/fairy pokemon introduced in gen 7. Some people think it is based upon hummingbird and mosquito but that's not the case. It is actually based on a cute Japanese insect known as the Japanese bee fly.

In Japan, they are known as Birodo tsuriabu. They are not bees, as can be seen by the fact that they only have one pair of wings, whereas bees have two. They actually belongs to a group of insects called Bee flies.

Beeflies, like cuckoos, deposit their eggs in the best of other insects, most notably in the nests of carpenter bees, and no bee will mistake them for an intruder because to their bee-like look.

Bad news is that these real life cutieflie's population is declining.

Walking Leaf Insect

Leavanny is a Bug/Grass-type Pokémon that was first introduced in Generation V of the Pokémon franchise. Its design draws inspiration from various sources, including leaf insects.

Leaf insects, also known as walking leaves, are insects that have evolved to resemble leaves as a form of camouflage. They are mostly found in the tropics and subtropics and are known for their remarkable ability to blend in with their environment.

Leavanny's design incorporates elements of a leaf insect, such as its long, slender body, leaf-like limbs, and leafy adornments on its head and shoulders.

It has also been speculated that Leavanny draws inspiration from leaf cutter ants. Leavanny's ability to create clothing from leaves is similar to how leaf cutter ants use leaves to build their nests. In the wild, leaf cutter ants cut and carry pieces of leaves to their nests, where they use them as building material. Similarly, Leavanny uses its sharp, scissor-like arms to cut and shape leaves into intricate clothing for its friends and allies.

Overall, Leavanny's design is a creative interpretation of the unique characteristics of leaf cutter ants and walking leaf insects.

Here's an image of Leaf cutter ants :

Domestic Silk Moth

Remember the frosmoth-like white fluffy moth you saw in the thumbnail? That was a domestic silk moth (bombyx Morri), the domestic silkworm's final stage and most likely the source of inspiration for the game freak artists to create frosmoth.

They are a fluffy, white species of bombyx moth used for sericulture (practice of breeding silk moths for obtaining raw silk) from at nearly 5,000 years .

Due to years of selective breeding, these silkmoths have became fully dependent on humans, lost their ability to fly (despite having wings) and evolved into a bug -poodle.

Frosmoth appears to be more silkmoth-like in my opinion, but there's a possibility that frosmoth could have been based on the white satin moth.

Jewel Caterpillar

The snom-like animal in the right is a caterpillar of acraga hamata moth, popularly known by the name of Jewel caterpillar.

It is found in the tropical premontane wet and rain forests of Costra Rica, Panama, and possibly Colombia.

The body of the jewel caterpillar is fully covered with sticky gelitaneous spine-like structures known as tubercles, which protect it against predators such as ants by detaching from the caterpillar which then release a sticky gooey substance on the predator.

There are many other species of jewel caterpillar. Here are some of them

Here's how a Acraga hamata moth looks like

Diving Bell Spider

Dewpider and it evolution Araquanid both of water bubble pokémon are based upon the water spider or diving bell spider.

They are the only aquatic species of spider which spends most of the life underwater. These spiders don't have gills to breathe underwater so they use a special method for it.

They visit the surface of water and traps an air bubble and which then they use it as a renewable oxygen cylinder. Renewable as thier underwater silken web allows O2 (oxygen) to diffuse from the surrounding water into the depleted air, as well as release Co2(carbon dioxide).

Malaysian Cherry Red Centipede

The Malaysian cherry red centipede, also known as Scolopendra dehaani, is a fascinating creature that bears a striking resemblance to Centiskorch, a fire and bug-type Pokémon introduced in the eighth generation of the popular game series.

These centipedes are fast and aggressive predators which can reach over 20cm in length and can consume prey as large as a mouse. Like other centipedes, thier first pair of legs are modified to deliver a painful venom that is effective both in subduing prey and in defense.

Both the Malaysian cherry red centipede and Centiskorch have bright red coloration, which results from the pigment in their exoskeletons. This serves as a warning to potential predators that they are venomous and dangerous. Bright colors in nature typically signal that a creature is poisonous or venomous, causing predators to avoid them.

Furthermore, the long, segmented bodies of both creatures allow them to move quickly and efficiently, making them effective predators. The fiery mane and tail of Centiskorch are similar to the Malaysian cherry red centipede's antennae, which are long and thin and resemble flames.

Common Mormon Caterpillar

Why do the common mormon caterpillar and caterpie look so similar? Because of any coincidence.

No! not because of any coincidence but because it was the common mormon caterpillar that inspired the Satoshi Tajihiri to create the caterpie.

They are widely distributed all across the Asia and can be found on the leaves of karbi, bael trees, orange jasmine and on the curry leaves .

They belongs to the swallowtail butterfly family.These caterpillar's have red retractable structure on its forehead (called osmeterium) which with thier big eyes is used to imitate the features of a snake in order to scare away predators.

Wondering what it looks like as a butterfly? Find in the image below.

Black-viened white Butterfly

Butterfree, the butterfly Pokémon, is a beautiful and iconic creature in the Pokémon franchise. In real life, there are many butterfly species that resemble Butterfree in various ways, such as their wing shape, coloration, and behavior.One of the butterfly species which resembles butterfree the most in appearance and characteristics appears to be the black viened white butterfly(Aporia crataegi).

Like Butterfree, the black veined butterfly has large, broad wings that are predominantly white, on both the upperside and the underside. The wings of this butterfly are also adorned with striking veins that are black in color, creating a distinctive and eye-catching pattern that is reminiscent of Butterfree's wings.

In addition to its striking appearance, the black veined butterfly also shares many behavioral characteristics with Butterfree. For example, both species are migratory and are also known to engage in a behavior known as hilltopping, where butterflies gather on the tops of hills to attract mates.

The black veined butterfly the black veined butterfly primarily feeds on flower nector.The butterfly also occasionally feeds on tree sap and rotting fruit juices.This may not be as glamorous as feeding on flowers, but it is an important part of the butterfly's diet and plays a crucial role in its survival.

Ogre faced spider

Spidops is a new fascinating bug-type Pokémon that has caught the attention of many trainers due to its peculiar appearance. However, what many people do not know is that what the Spidops Pokémon has been inspired from, is the Ogre faced spider.

The Ogre Faced Spider, also known as Deinopis, is a type of spider that belongs to the net-casting spider family. This spider is known for its distinct physical characteristics,such as thier large posterior median eyes with provide them with excellent night vision, allowing them to cast nets accurately in low-light conditions. These eyes being larger than the others and sometimes making these spiders appear to only have two eyes, these eyes are also the reason these spiders have been dubbed as the Ogre faced spider.

Additionally, like the Spidops, the Ogre faced spider holds its legs together in pairs and spins a net between its top four legs to catch its prey.

What makes the Ogre Faced Spider truly fascinating is its hunting technique.The spider hangs upside down from its web while waiting for prey. This posture allows it to remain hidden while keeping an eye out for any potential meals that might come its way. When it spots its prey, the spider casts its net with incredible accuracy, ensuring that the prey is completely enveloped and unable to escape. The spider then strikes, capturing its prey before it has a chance to react. After successfully capturing its prey, the Ogre Faced Spider hangs upside down from its net, waiting for its next meal.

Stag Beetle

The pinsir and mega pinsir is based on the European Stag beetle; however, mega pinsir is not the only Pokémon that is based on it.

Vikavolt is another Pokémon that is based on the Stag beetle, but from a different genus cyclommatus, specifically the cyclommatus metallifer finae, which are known for thier long mandibles and metallic colour.

Pound for pound stag beetles are one of strongest insects in the world.Males of both the species have enlarged mandibles but, unlike the pinsir, which can grip a for twice it size, the beetles mandibles are only capable of wrestling other male beetles and are incapable of strong grip.

Pacific Green Sphinx Moth

Although Bulbapedia suggests that the Luna Moth is the creature most similar in appearance to Dustox, there is another moth that is an even better lookalike. This moth is known as the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Moth, and it belongs to the Sphingidae family, which includes some of the largest moths in the world.

The Pacific Green Sphinx Moth is found along the Pacific coast of the United States, including Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. These nocturnal creatures can often be seen hovering around flowers at night, similar to their Pokemon counterpart.

One of the most noticeable similarities between Dustox and the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth is their greenish coloration. While Dustox has a bright green body and wings with purple accents, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth has a more muted green color with brownish markings. Additionally, both the moths and Pokemon have large, moth-like wings with long, curved antennae.

Honourable mentions

Common Mormon pupa

Want another proof that caterpie is based on common mormon caterpillar ?

Meet its chrysalis form which look exactly like the caterpie's 2nd form, Metapod.

Banana spider

This one took a long time to find on web, but I finally found the Ariados' real-life counterpart, the "Golden orb weaver spider," also known as the banana spider.

Hercules Beetle

The Hercules beetle deserves to have a Mega evolution based upon it.Reason?

Because pound for pound Hercules beetle are one of the strongest creatures in the animal kingdom and that's also the reason why they have Hercules in thier name.

Dung Beetle

Rellor and Rabsca seem to have been modelled after the dung beetle, sometimes also referred to as scarab beetle. Another possible inspiration for Rabsca is Khepri, an Egyptian scarab-faced deity who stands for the rising sun in the morning and, consequently, for creation and rebirth of life.

This seems to be represented by Rabsca learning Revival Blessing.

Orchid mantis

Despite being based on an insect, do you know why Luranits isn't a bug-type ?

Because the orchid mantis, the insect on which the lurantis is based, disguises itself as a flower to seek its prey and evade being caught by other predators.

Feel free to comment down your favorite bug type pokémon.

Animalassic

Meet the Real-life Version of your Favourite Bug-type Pokémons here - Animalassic

Green Bottle Blue Tarantula

Cecropia Moth

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