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Insects & Arthropods of Chicago, Illinois

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

88,865
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 88,865 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near Chicago. The most frequently seen is the Monarch, with 8,317 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods near Chicago

Monarch
Danaus plexippus
8,317 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
7,215 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
5,201 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
4,392 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
3,273 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
3,211 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
3,143 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
2,891 observations
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
2,662 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
2,132 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
1,974 observations · iNaturalist
Red Milkweed Beetle
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
1,969 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
1,749 observations
Bald-faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
1,604 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
1,531 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
1,442 observations
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
1,438 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
1,391 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
1,380 observations · iNaturalist
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
1,364 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
1,333 observations
Peck's Skipper
Polites peckius
1,303 observations · iNaturalist
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
1,275 observations · iNaturalist
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
1,266 observations · iNaturalist
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
1,251 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
1,199 observations
Eastern Forktail
Ischnura verticalis
1,175 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
1,143 observations
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula
1,105 observations
Red-banded Leafhopper
Graphocephala coccinea
1,080 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
1,076 observations
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
1,074 observations
Golden Northern Bumble Bee
Bombus fervidus
1,060 observations
Common Green Darner
Anax junius
1,049 observations
Eastern Cicada-killer Wasp
Sphecius speciosus
1,037 observations
Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona crucifera
971 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
963 observations
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
954 observations
Cassin's 17-year Cicada
Magicicada cassinii
937 observations · iNaturalist
Zebra Jumping Spider
Salticus scenicus
935 observations · iNaturalist
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
930 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
910 observations
Eastern Boxelder Bug
Boisea trivittata
860 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
859 observations
Scissor Grinder
Neotibicen pruinosus
836 observations · iNaturalist
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee
Melissodes bimaculatus
825 observations
White-marked Tussock Moth
Orgyia leucostigma
815 observations · iNaturalist
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
813 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
782 observations
American Dagger
Acronicta americana
770 observations

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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