Places › States › Illinois › Insects & Arthropods

Insects & Arthropods of Illinois

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

331,534
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 331,534 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Illinois. The most frequently seen is the Common Eastern Bumble Bee, with 27,063 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Illinois

Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
27,063 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
23,985 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
20,228 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
17,046 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
10,715 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
10,652 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
10,271 observations
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
9,565 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
9,017 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
8,203 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
8,155 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
7,787 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
7,557 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
7,529 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
6,489 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
5,898 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
5,589 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
5,517 observations
Ligated Furrow Bee
Halictus ligatus
5,509 observations · iNaturalist
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
5,210 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
5,123 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
4,795 observations · iNaturalist
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
4,770 observations · iNaturalist
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
Bombus auricomus
4,681 observations
Red Milkweed Beetle
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
4,593 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
4,572 observations · iNaturalist
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
4,544 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
4,516 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
4,499 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
4,332 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
4,319 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
4,311 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
4,236 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
3,857 observations
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
3,843 observations · iNaturalist
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
3,837 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
3,710 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
3,652 observations
Eastern Forktail
Ischnura verticalis
3,647 observations
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
3,602 observations
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
3,593 observations
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
3,584 observations
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
3,521 observations
Bald-faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
3,486 observations
Peck's Skipper
Polites peckius
3,416 observations · iNaturalist
Green Cloverworm Moth
Hypena scabra
3,406 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
3,393 observations
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
3,371 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
3,240 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
3,100 observations · iNaturalist

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.

Insects & Arthropods in nearby places

Out spotting insects & arthropods in Illinois?

Take Huck with you. Identify any insects & arthropod you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.