If you’ve ever stumbled upon a strange glass jar in Skyrim holding a live insect and thought, “What in Oblivion is this supposed to mean?” — trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too, standing in Goldenglow Estate, staring at a buzzing Bee in a Jar and wondering if I just uncovered some hidden quest. Spoiler: it’s not part of any questline, yet it’s one of the most fascinating collectibles in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
These insect jars—each with a unique bug sealed inside—have been puzzling players for over a decade. And while Bethesda never officially tied them to any mission, there’s something about these jars that keeps us obsessed. Let’s dive deep into what makes them special, exactly where you can find them, and the real story behind this long-standing Skyrim enigma.
Let’s start with the first bug that got everyone talking — the Bee in a Jar. You’ll find this collectible inside Goldenglow Estate, a honey farm located on a small island just west of Riften. Fast travel to Riften, cross the bridge to the estate, and once you’re inside, head upstairs to the main bedroom. There it is — a delicate glass jar sitting near the bed, quietly holding your very own bee.
If you’re on the Thieves Guild quest “Loud and Clear,” this is the perfect time to grab it. The jar doesn’t serve any gameplay purpose, but it makes an amazing piece of decor for your home once you’ve joined the Guild. Trust me, the glow of a captured bee fits the Thieves Guild aesthetic perfectly.
Must Read: Best Skyrim Modlist in 2025 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
Now, here’s one that’s as beautiful as it is elusive. The Butterfly in a Jar can be found in the Alchemist’s Shack, tucked away in the mountains southeast of Ivarstead. There’s no quest leading you there, which makes it easy to miss — but if you’re the kind of player who loves exploring remote corners of Skyrim (and who isn’t?), this one’s worth the hike.
You’ll find the small shack nestled among the trees, filled with potion ingredients and alchemy supplies — the perfect home for an insect collector. The butterfly inside this jar resembles a Monarch, and its soft fluttering animation gives the place an oddly peaceful vibe.
Things get a little trickier here. The Dragonfly in a Jar is located inside Dushnikh Yal, an Orc Stronghold in the rocky hills northwest of Falkreath. Unless you’re an Orc yourself, you’ll need to earn the stronghold’s trust before you can freely explore.
Once you’re on good terms with the Orcs, look for a cellar with an Alchemy Lab. The Dragonfly in a Jar rests right beside it. I always find this one fascinating — it’s the only insect jar found in a stronghold, hinting that even the fierce Orcs of Skyrim might have had an eye for the curious and the magical.
Must Read: Skyrim Marriage Guide
Next up is one of my personal favorites: the Moth in a Jar, featuring a glowing green Luna Moth. You’ll find it deep inside Duskglow Crevice, a Falmer-infested cave southeast of Dawnstar. It’s a tough dungeon to clear — filled with Chaurus and poisonous traps — but the reward is well worth it.
The jar is easy to miss amid the clutter of the cave, so keep an eye out once you reach the inner chambers. Besides the jar, Duskglow Crevice also hides a skill book and several rare crafting ingredients, making it a great stop for any adventurer looking to stock up.
Now, if you’re brave enough for a bit of horror, the Torchbug in a Jar is waiting for you inside Frostflow Lighthouse — one of the creepiest locations in all of Skyrim. Located along the icy northern coast between Dawnstar and Winterhold, this lighthouse hides a gruesome mystery involving a slaughtered family and a chilling quest that begins as soon as you enter.
The jar itself sits on the first floor near the fireplace. Collect it after you’ve explored the area (and, you know, survived the encounter). This glowing little torchbug somehow makes the eerie atmosphere feel just a bit warmer — a small, flickering piece of life amid all that darkness.
Must Read: The Best Skyrim Light Armor Sets Ranked Guide
Now, here’s where things get interesting. For years, players speculated that the insect jars formed a hidden puzzle or secret quest. Each jar has a strange symbol etched on its lid — letters like “DWT” or “ZWKT” — which led to wild fan theories about coded messages, treasure maps, or even Daedric prophecies.
Reddit threads and YouTube deep dives exploded with speculation, but nothing concrete was ever found in-game. Some even tried aligning the jar locations on Skyrim’s map to form a secret pattern. (Yes, I’ve done it — and no, it doesn’t spell “BUG.”)
According to modders and Skyrim archivists, these symbols were most likely tied to unfinished quest content that Bethesda cut before release. The jars, however, remained — an accidental mystery that became one of Skyrim’s most talked-about legends.
If you’ve installed Skyrim Anniversary Edition or the Saints and Seducers Creation Club content, then you’ve got three more bugs to hunt down — and these are extra special. Each one is a tribute to the chaotic beauty of Sheogorath’s realm, the Shivering Isles.
You’ll find the Bliss Bug in a Jar tucked away in Stony Creek Cave, southeast of Windhelm. The cave might sound familiar if you’ve explored the area for the Bow of Ruin quest. Inside, among bandits and a glowing waterfall, the Bliss Bug glimmers like a tiny beacon of insanity — a perfect nod to Sheogorath’s unpredictable charm.
The Purple Butterfly in a Jar rests inside the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace in Solitude. And if that name rings a bell, it should — it’s where you meet the Mad God himself during the “Mind of Madness” quest. Finding this butterfly here isn’t just random; it’s poetic. It’s as if Sheogorath left a little memento of his realm behind for those daring enough to visit his mind.
Lastly, the Green Butterfly in a Jar can be discovered deep in the Solitude Sewers, beneath Castle Dour. You’ll reach this area during the final stage of the Saints and Seducers storyline. The jar sits quietly amidst the chaos of that bizarre questline — glowing softly as if the Isles themselves are bleeding into Skyrim.
These new insect jars aren’t just collectibles; they’re creative bridges between two of Bethesda’s most beloved worlds. And honestly, as a Skyrim veteran, I can’t help but love that little piece of fan service.
For over a decade, Skyrim fans have obsessed over these jars. Entire Reddit threads have been dedicated to cracking their “code.” YouTube channels have spent hours mapping their locations, analyzing their symbols, even spinning theories about alchemical rituals or Daedric connections.
Some players believed the jars’ lid markings — mysterious letters like “DB” or “DWT” — represented initials or spell components. Others thought that placing the jars in a specific order might trigger a hidden quest. There were also ideas that each jar corresponded to one of Skyrim’s insect wings used in alchemy (and that’s not totally far-fetched).
I’ve personally followed this mystery for years, and the truth is — it’s so Bethesda. They’re masters at leaving breadcrumbs for players to chase, even when those trails lead nowhere. And that’s part of the magic. The insect jars may not unlock secret doors or summon Daedra, but they’ve sparked a level of curiosity most modern games can only dream of.
After countless debates, investigative modders finally unearthed the truth buried in Skyrim’s development files. The insect jars were part of unfinished quest content that never made it into the final version of the game.
Bethesda never publicly detailed what the quest was supposed to be, but according to data miners, it likely involved collecting the jars for a side storyline that was cut late in production. The mysterious letters etched on the lids? Developer placeholders — internal notes or abbreviations that accidentally stayed in the released build.
So yes — the grand mystery of the bug jars was never meant to be solved by players. But somehow, that makes them even more legendary. Bethesda’s silence turned a piece of discarded content into one of Skyrim’s most talked-about unsolved secrets.
If you’re a collector like me, here are a few practical details worth knowing:
For true completionists, collecting all eight jars (including the Saints & Seducers ones) is a satisfying little side goal that adds personality to your Skyrim journey.
Even after learning that the jars were part of scrapped content, I can’t help but admire how much life they’ve taken on. They embody what makes Skyrim timeless — mystery, immersion, and community-driven discovery.
They’ve inspired mods, videos, and even fan art. They remind us that not every mystery in gaming needs a definitive answer. Sometimes, it’s the search — the theories, the rabbit holes, the “what ifs” — that keep a game alive for over a decade.
So, if you find yourself wandering through a dark cave and spot a faintly glowing jar on a dusty shelf — don’t just walk past it. Pick it up. You’re holding a piece of Skyrim’s legacy — a small, sealed fragment of a world that still captivates us all these years later.
Must Read: Skyrim Ansilvund Puzzle Finally Decoded — Here’s the Exact Order and Hidden Clue You Might’ve Missed
At the end of the day, Skyrim’s insect jars are more than collectibles — they’re symbols of curiosity. They prove that even the smallest, most overlooked details can spawn entire communities of adventurers determined to uncover the truth.
And that’s why, every time I start a new playthrough, I make it my mission to collect them all. Not for gold, not for quests — but because they remind me that Skyrim still has secrets left to find.
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the shadowy boots of Tamriel’s greatest thief, The…
Even after more than a decade, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim still manages to pull…
If you’ve been roaming Skyrim’s treacherous mountains lately and found yourself deep inside the Ansilvund…
Microsoft has officially restructured Xbox Game Pass in one of the biggest shakeups since the…
If you’ve been part of the Elder Scrolls community, you already know Shirley Curry—the internet’s…
If you’ve spent hours exploring the wilds of Skyrim, battling dragons, and mastering the Thu’um,…