Insects & Arthropods of Boston, Massachusetts

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

106,778

recent observations

50

species listed

50

insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 106,778 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near Boston. The most frequently seen is the Common Eastern Bumble Bee, with 14,086 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods near Boston

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

14,086 observations

Western Honey Bee

9,146 observations

Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis

7,391 observations

Danaus plexippus

4,114 observations

Brown-belted Bumble Bee

Bombus griseocollis

4,016 observations

Pachydiplax longipennis

3,368 observations

2,928 observations

Eastern Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa virginica

2,742 observations

Photinus corruscus

2,490 observations · iNaturalist

Oriental Beetle

Exomala orientalis

1,995 observations · iNaturalist

Red-headed Bush Cricket

Phyllopalpus pulchellus

1,753 observations · iNaturalist

Common Whitetail

Plathemis lydia

1,751 observations

Isabella Tiger Moth

Pyrrharctia isabella

1,742 observations

Black Swallowtail

Papilio polyxenes

1,680 observations

Bold Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax

1,590 observations

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

1,562 observations

Margined Calligrapher

Toxomerus marginatus

1,545 observations · iNaturalist

Two-spotted Bumble Bee

Bombus bimaculatus

1,514 observations

Eastern Pondhawk

Erythemis simplicicollis

1,501 observations

Northern Paper Wasp

Polistes fuscatus

1,494 observations

Reddish-brown Stag Beetle

Lucanus capreolus

1,478 observations

Japanese Beetle

Popillia japonica

1,476 observations

Bald-faced Hornet

Dolichovespula maculata

1,462 observations

Red Milkweed Beetle

Tetraopes tetrophthalmus

1,452 observations

Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma americana

1,447 observations · iNaturalist

Pale Green Assassin Bug

1,405 observations

Tan Jumping Spider

Platycryptus undatus

1,400 observations · iNaturalist

Vanessa atalanta

1,382 observations

Zabulon Skipper

1,382 observations · iNaturalist

Vanessa virginiensis

1,373 observations

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

1,350 observations

Tenodera sinensis

1,349 observations

American Nursery Web Spider

1,337 observations · iNaturalist

Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee

Agapostemon virescens

1,316 observations

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Leptoglossus occidentalis

1,314 observations · iNaturalist

Eastern Yellowjacket

Vespula maculifrons

1,302 observations · iNaturalist

False Milkweed Bug

Lygaeus turcicus

1,287 observations · iNaturalist

Autumn Meadowhawk

Sympetrum vicinum

1,245 observations

Ligated Furrow Bee

Halictus ligatus

1,236 observations · iNaturalist

Eastern Calligrapher

Toxomerus geminatus

1,201 observations

European Paper Wasp

Polistes dominula

1,190 observations

Megacyllene robiniae

1,189 observations

Polites peckius

1,166 observations · iNaturalist

Northeastern Hammertail

Efferia aestuans

1,162 observations · iNaturalist

Fragile Forktail

Ischnura posita

1,133 observations · iNaturalist

Cross Orbweaver

Araneus diadematus

1,131 observations

Great Golden Digger Wasp

Sphex ichneumoneus

1,081 observations · iNaturalist

Red-banded Leafhopper

Graphocephala coccinea

1,066 observations

Orchard Orbweaver

Leucauge venusta

1,033 observations

Coppery Leafhopper

Jikradia olitoria

1,025 observations · iNaturalist

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