Insects & Arthropods of California
The insects & arthropods most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
903,402
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods
Naturalists have logged 903,402 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Honey Bee, with 95,570 recorded sightings.
Most-observed insects & arthropods in California
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
95,570 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
63,747 observations
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
28,837 observations
Convergent Lady Beetle
Hippodamia convergens
27,401 observations
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
26,574 observations · iNaturalist
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
26,052 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
25,874 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
24,921 observations
Arizona Mantis
Stagmomantis limbata
24,104 observations · iNaturalist
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
23,165 observations
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
Bombus vosnesenskii
22,043 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca nitens
21,234 observations · iNaturalist
Small White
Pieris rapae
20,626 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
20,081 observations · iNaturalist
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
18,876 observations · iNaturalist
Noble False Widow
Steatoda nobilis
18,790 observations · iNaturalist
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
17,874 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
17,554 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
17,077 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
16,269 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
15,990 observations
Vivid Dancer
Argia vivida
15,103 observations · iNaturalist
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
14,780 observations · iNaturalist
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
14,216 observations
California Gall Wasp
Andricus quercuscalifornicus
14,077 observations · iNaturalist
California Sister
Adelpha californica
13,925 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
13,352 observations
Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
12,992 observations · iNaturalist
Black-tailed Bumble Bee
Bombus melanopygus
12,476 observations · iNaturalist
Western Black Widow
Latrodectus hesperus
12,293 observations · iNaturalist
Figeater Beetle
Cotinis mutabilis
12,208 observations · iNaturalist
Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum corruptum
12,091 observations · iNaturalist
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
11,840 observations
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
11,607 observations · iNaturalist
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
10,826 observations
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
10,806 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Widow
Latrodectus geometricus
10,730 observations · iNaturalist
Valley Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa sonorina
10,681 observations · iNaturalist
Argentine Ant
Linepithema humile
10,604 observations
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
10,467 observations
Dotted Paropsine Leaf Beetle
Paropsis atomaria
9,931 observations · iNaturalist
Spotless Lady Beetle
Cycloneda sanguinea
9,913 observations · iNaturalist
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
9,706 observations
Western Yellowjacket
Vespula pensylvanica
9,697 observations · iNaturalist
European Mantis
Mantis religiosa
9,639 observations
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
9,523 observations · iNaturalist
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
9,421 observations
Harlequin Bug
Murgantia histrionica
9,386 observations · iNaturalist
Johnson's Jumping Spider
Phidippus johnsoni
9,301 observations · iNaturalist
Pallid-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
9,152 observations
Insects & Arthropods in nearby places
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