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Insects & Arthropods of Boston National Historical Park

The insects & arthropods most often spotted in Boston, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

1,784
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 1,784 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Boston. The most frequently seen is the Western Honey Bee, with 309 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Boston

Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
309 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
172 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
131 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
86 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
82 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
53 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
51 observations
Zebra Jumping Spider
Salticus scenicus
40 observations · iNaturalist
European Woolcarder Bee
Anthidium manicatum
38 observations
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
35 observations · iNaturalist
German Yellowjacket
Vespula germanica
33 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
32 observations
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
32 observations
Oriental Beetle
Exomala orientalis
28 observations · iNaturalist
Grey Cross Spider
Larinioides sclopetarius
28 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Calligrapher
Toxomerus geminatus
27 observations
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Leptoglossus occidentalis
25 observations · iNaturalist
Oleander Aphid
Aphis nerii
25 observations
Eastern Black Carpenter Ant
Camponotus pennsylvanicus
25 observations
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula
24 observations
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
23 observations
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
21 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
21 observations
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp
Sceliphron caementarium
21 observations
Common Green Darner
Anax junius
20 observations
European Tube Wasp
Ancistrocerus gazella
20 observations · iNaturalist
Sculptured Resin Bee
Megachile sculpturalis
19 observations · iNaturalist
Autumn Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum
19 observations
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee
Agapostemon virescens
19 observations
Bald-faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
18 observations
Common Drone Fly
Eristalis tenax
18 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
17 observations
Cross Orbweaver
Araneus diadematus
17 observations
Fourteen-spotted Lady Beetle
Propylea quatuordecimpunctata
17 observations · iNaturalist
Great Golden Digger Wasp
Sphex ichneumoneus
17 observations · iNaturalist
Long-tailed Aphideater Complex
Eupeodes americanus
17 observations · iNaturalist
Thick-legged Hover Fly
Syritta pipiens
16 observations · iNaturalist
Ligated Furrow Bee
Halictus ligatus
16 observations · iNaturalist
Narcissus Bulb Fly
Merodon equestris
16 observations · iNaturalist
Immigrant Pavement Ant
Tetramorium immigrans
16 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
15 observations
Eastern Amberwing
Perithemis tenera
15 observations · iNaturalist
American Cockroach
Periplaneta americana
15 observations
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
14 observations
Reddish-brown Stag Beetle
Lucanus capreolus
14 observations
Oblique Streaktail
Allograpta obliqua
14 observations · iNaturalist
False Milkweed Bug
Lygaeus turcicus
14 observations · iNaturalist
Four-banded Stink Bug Wasp
Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus
14 observations · iNaturalist
Common Lagoon Fly
Eristalinus aeneus
13 observations · iNaturalist
Great Black Digger Wasp
Sphex pensylvanicus
12 observations · iNaturalist

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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