Bug collecting

Bug Catching was first introduced in The Sims 2: Seasons, allowing Sims to catch butterflies and fireflies. The Sims 2: FreeTime allows the catching of bugs and adding them to a collection. The Sims 3 also features collecting butterflies and beetles.

Bug Catching
Butterflies appear during the day and fireflies in the evening. A Sim can try to catch a butterfly or firefly in a jar by clicking on the tile where they appear. It may take several tries before they catch one. Once one is caught Sims can view them inside the jar or release them. If they are left in the jar they will die.

Hunt Bugs
There are three types of bugs a Sim can catch: Beetles, Butterflies and Spiders. To catch bugs, click on an area outside and select "Hunt Bugs". Sims will continue this action indefinitely but will not always catch anything. Once a Sim catches a bug it will be placed in their collection box, which can be found in their inventory. You can view the collection by placing it on the lot and selecting "View". A Sim must have enthusiasm in the Nature hobby to be able to collect all of the bugs.

You can catch some bugs which are references to other things such as:

Ringo Beetle(refering to Ringo Starr ex-Beatle)

Madame Butterfly(a well known opera play)

The Sims 3
Butterflies and beetles are also collectible in The Sims 3.

Late Night
It has been revealed that spiders and termites will be added as collectable bugs in The Sims 3: Late Night