How to Catch a Banded Dragonfly in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The Banded Dragonfly is one of the many fascinating insects you can encounter in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). This vibrantly colored dragonfly, with its distinctive bands, is a valuable addition to your museum collection and can also fetch a decent price at Nook’s Cranny. So, how exactly do you catch one?

The Banded Dragonfly appears between 8 AM and 5 PM from late May to late October in the Northern Hemisphere, and from late November to late April in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll find them flitting around ponds and rivers on your island. To catch one, approach slowly with your net equipped, and when you’re close enough, swing your net to catch it. Patience and a steady approach are key!

Where and When to Find Banded Dragonflies

Understanding the specific conditions that trigger the Banded Dragonfly’s appearance is crucial for a successful hunt.

Time of Year

Knowing the correct season is the first step. Remember:

• Northern Hemisphere: Late May to Late October
• Southern Hemisphere: Late November to Late April

Time of Day

The Banded Dragonfly is a daytime insect. Look for it:

• 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location

Focus your search around:

• Ponds
• Rivers

Banded dragonflies are particularly drawn to these aquatic environments.

Tips and Tricks for Catching Banded Dragonflies

While knowing the time and location is essential, certain techniques can significantly improve your chances of success.

Sneaking Up

Dragonflies, like many insects in ACNH, are easily startled. The key to catching them is stealth.

• Walk slowly: Approach the dragonfly using the “sneak” mode (slowly tilting the joystick).
• Avoid running: Running will almost always scare them away.
• Use the environment: Try to approach from behind trees or bushes to minimize your visibility.

Net Technique

The right net technique can make all the difference.

• Equip your net: Make sure your net is equipped before you approach.
• Positioning: Get close enough that your net’s range covers the dragonfly, but not so close that you scare it.
• Swing strategically: Swing your net when you’re within range. A well-timed swing will secure the catch.

Creating a Dragonfly-Friendly Environment

You can increase the likelihood of Banded Dragonflies spawning on your island by creating a suitable habitat.

• Maintain water features: Ensure you have ponds and rivers on your island.
• Plant flowers: Dragonflies are often attracted to flowers and the insects that visit them.
• Clear clutter: Reduce clutter around water sources to make it easier for dragonflies to spawn and for you to spot them.

What to Do with Your Banded Dragonfly

Once you’ve successfully caught a Banded Dragonfly, you have several options.

Donate to the Museum

The primary reason for catching insects is often to complete your museum collection. Donating your first Banded Dragonfly to Blathers will allow him to add it to the insect exhibit.

Sell at Nook’s Cranny

If you already have the Banded Dragonfly in your museum, you can sell it for 4,500 Bells at Nook’s Cranny. This can be a good way to earn some extra Bells.

Hold onto them for Flick

Flick, the chameleon, visits your island periodically and buys insects for 1.5 times the normal price. He would buy a Banded Dragonfly for 6,750 Bells. Save them up for when he visits!

Decorate Your Island

You can also place the Banded Dragonfly as an item on your island. While it won’t be displayed in its natural state, it can still add to the aesthetic of your island design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What if it’s the right time of year and day, but I still can’t find any Banded Dragonflies?

Sometimes, even with the correct conditions, insects can be rare. Try the following:

• Check multiple locations: Visit all the ponds and rivers on your island.
• Clear other spawns: Catch other insects to encourage new ones, including Banded Dragonflies, to spawn.
• Patience: Sometimes, it just takes time and persistence.

2. Can weather conditions affect the spawn rate of Banded Dragonflies?

No, the weather (rain, snow, sunshine) does not directly affect the spawn rate of Banded Dragonflies. The key factors are the time of year and the time of day.

3. Do Mystery Island Tours offer better chances of finding Banded Dragonflies?

Mystery Island Tours can offer a change of scenery and potentially more concentrated areas of ponds and rivers. This might increase your chances, but it’s not guaranteed. You’ll still need to adhere to the time of day and year requirements.

4. Does using Nook Miles Tickets to visit other islands improve my chances?

Similar to Mystery Island Tours, visiting other islands gives you more environments to explore. However, the spawn rates remain the same, so it’s not necessarily more effective than searching your own island thoroughly.

5. Can I breed Banded Dragonflies?

No, insects in Animal Crossing: New Horizons cannot be bred. You must find them spawning naturally in the environment.

6. Is there a specific type of pond or river that Banded Dragonflies prefer?

There is no specific type. They can spawn near any pond or river on your island, regardless of its size or shape.

7. Are there any special items or tools that increase my chances of catching Banded Dragonflies?

No, there are no special items or tools that increase your chances of catching any insects. The standard net is all you need.

8. How can I tell the difference between a Banded Dragonfly and other types of dragonflies?

The Banded Dragonfly has a distinctive appearance with dark, banded markings on its abdomen. Other dragonflies may be different colors or have different patterns.

9. Does moving or terraforming my rivers and ponds affect the spawn rate of Banded Dragonflies?

Yes, altering your island’s landscape can impact the spawning of insects. Make sure your terraforming still includes accessible ponds and rivers for the Banded Dragonflies to appear.

10. What is the best time of day within the 8 AM – 5 PM window to find Banded Dragonflies?

There is no specific “best” time within that window. They can spawn at any time between 8 AM and 5 PM, so just keep checking throughout the day.

11. Do Banded Dragonflies spawn more frequently on certain days of the week?

No, there is no correlation between the day of the week and the spawn rate of Banded Dragonflies.

12. If I time travel, can I catch Banded Dragonflies out of season?

Yes, time traveling allows you to experience different seasons and times of day, allowing you to catch Banded Dragonflies whenever you desire. Be aware that time traveling can affect other aspects of your island.

13. Are there any glitches or bugs that can affect the spawn rate of Banded Dragonflies?

While rare, glitches can sometimes occur in the game. Make sure your game is updated to the latest version to minimize the risk of encountering bugs that might affect insect spawns.

14. Can having villagers near ponds and rivers scare away Banded Dragonflies?

Villagers generally don’t scare away insects, so their presence shouldn’t affect your chances of finding Banded Dragonflies.

15. Is the spawn rate of Banded Dragonflies affected by the number of players on the island (multiplayer)?

No, the spawn rate of insects, including Banded Dragonflies, is not directly affected by the number of players on the island.