What Is a Bug Catcher Called? | Pokémon vs. Real Science

A bug catcher in the Pokémon games is officially called a Bug Catcher, while a real-world professional who studies insects is an entomologist — two very different titles for two very different worlds.

If you grew up battling through Viridian Forest, you know the Bug Catcher class well — a kid in a net hat with a Weedle or Caterpie. But an adult who genuinely makes a living catching and studying bugs isn’t called a Bug Catcher. The gap between the fictional trainer and the actual scientist is wider than most people realize. This article covers exactly what each role is called, where the names originated, and what it takes to become the real-world version.

What the Pokémon Games Call a Bug Catcher

Since Generation I debuted in 1996, the class of young trainers who specialize in Bug-type Pokémon has been called Bug Catcher. In the Japanese releases, the name is むしとりしょうねん (Mushitori Shōnen), which translates literally to “Bug Catcher Boy.” In Pokémon Stadium on the Nintendo 64, the class name was changed to Bug Boys. Every mainline game since the originals has used “Bug Catcher” as the standard English name.

The name stayed consistent across Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Unova — Bug Catcher characters like Rick appear in multiple regions across different game versions. The class is so iconic that a specific character named Tajiri appears in the Johto Battle Tower (Game Boy Color, 1999), named after Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon.

The One Bug Catcher Who Breaks the Rule

Nearly every Bug Catcher uses exclusively Bug-type Pokémon — that’s the whole point. The single exception is Henery, found in Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 (2012), who is the only Bug Catcher in any generation that uses a non-Bug-type Pokémon. This makes Henery a mechanical outlier that fans still discuss.

Another common mix-up: the species Carnivine is nicknamed the “Bug Catcher Pokémon” in the Pokédex, which refers to the species itself, not the trainer class. A Bug Catcher (trainer) and the Bug Catcher Pokémon (Carnivine) are entirely different things.

What a Real-World Bug Catcher Is Called

In the real world, a professional who catches, studies, or manages insects is called an entomologist. Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology that covers behavior, pest management, crop pollination, and even forensic science. The title “entomologist” is not given to anyone who simply catches bugs — it is a professional designation that requires formal education and often certification.

The Royal Entomological Society defines entomology as the study of insects (six-legged arthropods). If you want to know our recommended gear for real-world bug collection, check out our hands-on guide to the best bug catchers for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

How to Become an Entomologist

If the Pokémon version inspired a real interest in bugs, the path to becoming an entomologist is a significant step up from catching Weedle. According to the UC Davis Entomology Program, the standard route looks like this:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or entomology as the foundation.
• Pursue graduate studies — a Master’s or Ph.D. in entomology is expected for most professional roles.
• Choose a specialization such as pest management, medical entomology, or forensic entomology.
• Obtain professional certification if you focus on structural entomology (working with insects in buildings). The Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) credential is the standard from the Entomological Society of America.

Real-world entomologists work as agricultural inspectors, pest control advisors, forensic scientists, and medical researchers. The work often involves handling biological hazards and following strict safety protocols, especially in forensic roles where insects are studied on decomposing remains.

Common Mistakes People Make With These Terms

The most frequent mix-up is calling a real-world bug collector an “entomologist” when they haven’t earned the degree. Entomologist is a professional title, not a description of a hobby. Another common error: assuming “Bug Boys” is the universal Pokémon name, when it only applies to Pokémon Stadium. And the species Carnivine is the “Bug Catcher Pokémon,” not a Bug Catcher trainer — that distinction trips up even dedicated fans.

Finally, the Japanese class name Mushitori Shōnen includes “Boy,” which has led some fans to interpret the class as male-coded by default. Modern fan discussions have explored more neutral interpretations, but the official Japanese name remains gendered.