Bug-type Pokémon are not particularly popular because they are not the strongest, and there isn't a lot of variety in their type combinations or move pool. And while they are easily accessible and usually found on the earliest routes of most games, they are hardly part of any major Pokémon team.
Bug-types, however, can pride themselves in saying they have a lot of cute Pokémon in their ranks. Indeed, most of their initial stages have that adorable quality that makes them irresistible to most trainers. And even though they lose this cuteness once they're fully evolved, the early stages of nearly every Bug-type evolutionary line rank among the prettiest Pokémon in the franchise.
Swadloon
Swadloon is cute in a sort of strange and non-obvious way. It's also the rare middle evolution that doesn't look like a weird rebellious Pokémon going through adolescence. Swadloon's frowning face is surrounded by a leafy cloak with which it drapes itself, making it resemble a child inside a blanket.
Swadloon evolves from Sewaddle starting at level 20 and evolves into Leavanny when leveled up with high friendship. Introduced in Generation V, it is a dual-type Bug/Grass Pokémon that appeared prominently during the Unova-centric anime, thanks to it being part of Ash's team.
Dottler
Dottler's orange, blob-like body is hidden inside a heavy and geometric-shaped shell. Thanks to its large, crystalline eyes and small hands and feet, this Pokémon becomes instantly delightful. What makes Dottler cuter than its pre-evolution, Blipbug, is its small frame juxtaposed with the overgrown shell, making it look like a garden gnome.
Dottler evolves into Orbeetle starting at level 30. Once evolved, all its cuteness disappears and it becomes a cruel, science-looking creature. A dual-type Bug/Psychic 'mon, no other Pokémon has the same type combination as Dottler and Orbeetle.
Ledyba
One of the first Pokémon in the Johto Pokédex, Ledyba is as cute as it is weak. Like most early Bug-types, Ledyba is frail and vulnerable. It has terrible stats, including pitiful Attack and Defense. It evolves into Ledian at level 18, but it's not much of an improvement. It doesn't help that their dual Bug/Flying typing gives them five weaknesses, including quad vulnerability to Rock.
At least Ledyba is cute. Thanks to its big, round, glassy eyes and very sociable demeanor, this Pokémon quickly overcomes its performance issues. Within the Pokémon world, it also pollinates the fruit-producing plants, making it super useful for the environment.
Dwebble
Unlike Ledyba, Dwebble is a Pokémon that actually makes the best out of its type combination. Its Bug/Rock typing makes it vulnerable to only three types, including Rock, ironically. However, it has decent Attack and Defense, even if its Special Stats are terrible. It evolves into Crustle at level 34, an overall decent Pokémon.
Dwebble's large eyes immediately make it memorable. What makes it extra adorable, however, is that the rock on its body isn't permanent. Instead, it finds a new one every time the old one is damaged or lost. Without it, Dwebble is a tiny and vulnerable creature that deserves to be protected at any cost.
Combee
One of the many dual-type Bug/Flying Pokémon, Combee resembles three honeycombs stuck together, each one with its one individual face. A completely submissive creature, Combee lives to serve its Queen. Indeed, if she ever feels in danger, her loyal Combee will furiously attack and even kill any potential predator.
Combee is overwhelmingly male and has only a 12.5% chance of being female. Only females can evolve, turning into Vespiquen starting at level 21. A skilled and powerful Pokémon, Vespiquen is a master tactician who can successfully command her colony of Combee to attack in her place.
Venonat
One of the original 150 Pokémon, Venonat is basically the Pokémon world's version of a Furby. It has a round body that also doubles as a face covered in purple fur, tiny arms and legs, and a pair of large and white antennae. However, its enormous red eyes are its most striking feature, as well as its most powerful. They can shoot powerful beams and act as radar units.
A nocturnal creature, Venonat evolves into Venomoth starting at level 31. It is very common in the Kanto region and has surprisingly balanced stats for an early-stage Pokémon.
Caterpie & Butterfree
Another Gen 1 favorite, fans will fondly remember Caterpie as the first Pokémon that Ash caught in the wild. A small green worm with a large head and even larger eyes, Caterpie is as cute as they come. It's very easy to catch and evolves rather quickly, making it an ideal choice for inexperienced trainers. It has a voracious appetite and can eat up to a hundred leaves a day.
Caterpie evolves into Metapod at the surprisingly low level of seven, which then evolves into Butterfree at level ten. Thanks to its small purple body and oversized feet, Butterfree ranks as one of the sweetest butterfly-inspired Pokémon in the franchise. This adorable creature is also at the center of one of the saddest moments in the anime when Ash releases it so it can mate with a pink Butterfree, becoming the first of many Pokémon that Ash says goodbye to.
Joltik
Spiders get a bad reputation. They're usually seen as ugly, dangerous, and almost disgusting. However, take one look at Joltik, and those prejudices go out the window. Also inspired by ticks, Joltik is a reasonably strong Pokémon for an early stage and also has one of the best type combinations in the game.
One of the smallest Pokémon in existence, Joltik is incapable of generating its own electricity so it attaches itself to larger 'mons and feeds off their static. Its favorite host is the ultra adorable electric-type Yamper, on whose hindquarters it prefers sticking. A peaceful Pokémon, Joltik will only attack if bothered.
Snom
One of the most recent additions to the franchise, Snom quickly became a fan favorite thanks to how much it resembles a plush. A small, larval Pokémon with a body covered in icy spikes that grow larger as it eats more snow, Snom has a truly voracious appetite and will only be satisfied by absurd amounts of food.
It evolves into the surprisingly powerful Frosmoth when leveled up with high friendship at night. Snom and Frosmoth are the only two Pokémon to have the dual-typing of Bug/Ice.
Ribombee
When it comes to cute Bug Pokémon, none hold a candle to Ribombee. Its pre-evolution is called Cutielfy, so that should be proof enough of just how devastatingly adorable this creature is. A dual-type Bug/Fairy Pokémon, it evolves from Cutiefly starting at level twenty-five.
With a delightful face, a literal scarf around its neck, and two large wings almost as large as its minuscule body, Ribombee is a bug that no one could be afraid of. Rimbombee's frail appearance shouldn't be confused with weakness, though. On the contrary, it is impossibly fast and has a high Special Attack, meaning it will hit hard and fast, leaving its opponents confused as to how such a small creature can be so powerful.