Insects & Arthropods of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The insects & arthropods most often spotted in Carlsbad Caverns, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed insects & arthropods in Carlsbad Caverns
American Rubyspot
Hetaerina americana
89 observations
Variable Dancer
Argia fumipennis
69 observations
Texas Brown Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi
64 observations · iNaturalist
Queen
Danaus gilippus
63 observations · iNaturalist
Kiowa Dancer
Argia immunda
63 observations · iNaturalist
Yellow-legged Ringtail
Erpetogomphus crotalinus
63 observations · iNaturalist
Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
61 observations · iNaturalist
Springwater Dancer
Argia funebris
59 observations · iNaturalist
Aztec Dancer
Argia nahuana
57 observations · iNaturalist
Sleepy Orange
Eurema nicippe
54 observations · iNaturalist
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
49 observations
Arroyo Bluet
Enallagma praevarum
49 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Ringtail
Erpetogomphus designatus
46 observations · iNaturalist
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
45 observations
Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum corruptum
44 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Damsel
Hesperagrion heterodoxum
44 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Firetail
Telebasis salva
42 observations · iNaturalist
Plains Lubber Grasshopper
Brachystola magna
42 observations · iNaturalist
Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile
38 observations
Reakirt's Blue
Echinargus isola
36 observations · iNaturalist
Autumn Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum
35 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
35 observations
Phaon Crescent
Phyciodes phaon
28 observations · iNaturalist
Bird Toxonprucha
Toxonprucha volucris
28 observations · iNaturalist
Dainty Sulphur
Nathalis iole
26 observations
Western Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica
25 observations · iNaturalist
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
25 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
24 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
24 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
22 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
22 observations
Swift Setwing
Dythemis velox
22 observations · iNaturalist
Filigree Skimmer
Pseudoleon superbus
21 observations · iNaturalist
Common Checkered-Skipper and Allies
Burnsius communis
21 observations · iNaturalist
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
20 observations
Rough Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex rugosus
20 observations · iNaturalist
Arizona Mantis
Stagmomantis limbata
20 observations · iNaturalist
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
19 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
19 observations
Sooty Dancer
Argia lugens
19 observations · iNaturalist
Tropical Least Skipper
Ancyloxypha arene
19 observations · iNaturalist
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
18 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
18 observations
Plateau Spreadwing
Lestes alacer
18 observations · iNaturalist
Mexican Yellow
Eurema mexicana
18 observations · iNaturalist
Giant Agave Bug
Acanthocephala thomasi
18 observations · iNaturalist
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
17 observations · iNaturalist
Bordered Patch
Chlosyne lacinia
17 observations
Great Spreadwing
Archilestes grandis
17 observations · iNaturalist
Gray-waisted Skimmer
Cannaphila insularis
17 observations · iNaturalist