Insects & Arthropods of California
The insects & arthropods most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
928,128
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods
Naturalists have logged 928,128 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Honey Bee, with 97,968 recorded sightings.
Most-observed insects & arthropods in California
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
97,968 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
65,715 observations
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
29,033 observations
Convergent Lady Beetle
Hippodamia convergens
27,677 observations
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
27,370 observations · iNaturalist
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
26,896 observations · iNaturalist
Arizona Mantis
Stagmomantis limbata
26,128 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
25,999 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
25,175 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
23,713 observations
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
Bombus vosnesenskii
22,276 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca nitens
21,671 observations · iNaturalist
Small White
Pieris rapae
21,115 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
20,955 observations · iNaturalist
Noble False Widow
Steatoda nobilis
19,483 observations · iNaturalist
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
18,911 observations · iNaturalist
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
18,047 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
17,969 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
17,309 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
16,754 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
16,655 observations · iNaturalist
Vivid Dancer
Argia vivida
15,470 observations · iNaturalist
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
15,055 observations · iNaturalist
California Gall Wasp
Andricus quercuscalifornicus
14,553 observations · iNaturalist
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
14,511 observations
California Sister
Adelpha californica
14,278 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
13,873 observations
Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
13,300 observations · iNaturalist
Western Black Widow
Latrodectus hesperus
12,946 observations
Figeater Beetle
Cotinis mutabilis
12,930 observations · iNaturalist
Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum corruptum
12,506 observations · iNaturalist
Black-tailed Bumble Bee
Bombus melanopygus
12,493 observations · iNaturalist
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
12,064 observations
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
11,959 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Widow
Latrodectus geometricus
11,423 observations · iNaturalist
Valley Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa sonorina
11,187 observations · iNaturalist
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
11,121 observations
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
11,077 observations · iNaturalist
Dotted Paropsine Leaf Beetle
Paropsis atomaria
10,764 observations · iNaturalist
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
10,738 observations
Argentine Ant
Linepithema humile
10,734 observations
European Mantis
Mantis religiosa
10,386 observations
Spotless Lady Beetle
Cycloneda sanguinea
10,329 observations · iNaturalist
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
9,941 observations
Western Yellowjacket
Vespula pensylvanica
9,927 observations · iNaturalist
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
9,798 observations · iNaturalist
Harlequin Bug
Murgantia histrionica
9,572 observations · iNaturalist
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
9,524 observations
Johnson's Jumping Spider
Phidippus johnsoni
9,471 observations · iNaturalist
Pallid-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
9,379 observations
Insects & Arthropods in nearby places
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