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Insects & Arthropods of Iowa

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

70,243
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 70,243 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Iowa. The most frequently seen is the Monarch, with 5,831 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Iowa

Monarch
Danaus plexippus
5,831 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
5,573 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
3,720 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
2,581 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
2,195 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
2,182 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
1,991 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
1,949 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
1,881 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
1,865 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
1,804 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
1,714 observations · iNaturalist
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
1,452 observations
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
1,438 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
1,419 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
1,352 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
1,315 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
1,249 observations
American Bumble Bee
Bombus pensylvanicus
1,240 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
1,221 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
1,212 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
1,177 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
1,110 observations
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
Bombus auricomus
1,107 observations
Red Milkweed Beetle
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
1,083 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
1,042 observations · iNaturalist
Chickweed Geometer Moth
Haematopis grataria
1,035 observations · iNaturalist
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
985 observations
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
964 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
960 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
952 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
929 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
902 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
885 observations
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
Chauliognathus marginatus
865 observations · iNaturalist
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
847 observations · iNaturalist
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
842 observations · iNaturalist
Virginian Tiger Moth
Spilosoma virginica
834 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
814 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
797 observations
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
788 observations
Eastern Boxelder Bug
Boisea trivittata
774 observations
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
740 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
727 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
714 observations · iNaturalist
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
661 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
659 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
632 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
620 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
614 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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