Insects & Arthropods of Iowa
The insects & arthropods most often spotted in Iowa, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
67,612
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods
Naturalists have logged 67,612 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Iowa. The most frequently seen is the Monarch, with 5,645 recorded sightings.
Most-observed insects & arthropods in Iowa
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
5,645 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
5,285 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
3,553 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
2,493 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
2,142 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
2,125 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
1,907 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
1,860 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
1,843 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
1,829 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
1,800 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
1,692 observations · iNaturalist
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
1,425 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
1,347 observations
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
1,340 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
1,285 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
1,231 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
1,198 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
1,174 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
1,173 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
1,134 observations
American Bumble Bee
Bombus pensylvanicus
1,118 observations
Red Milkweed Beetle
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
1,076 observations
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
Bombus auricomus
1,054 observations
Chickweed Geometer Moth
Haematopis grataria
1,005 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
993 observations · iNaturalist
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
959 observations
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
954 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
944 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
939 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
924 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
870 observations · iNaturalist
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
Chauliognathus marginatus
860 observations · iNaturalist
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
851 observations
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
834 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
833 observations · iNaturalist
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
820 observations · iNaturalist
Virginian Tiger Moth
Spilosoma virginica
809 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
790 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
762 observations
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
755 observations
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
730 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Boxelder Bug
Boisea trivittata
720 observations
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
710 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
704 observations · iNaturalist
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
645 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
631 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
629 observations
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee
Melissodes bimaculatus
612 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
600 observations
Insects & Arthropods in nearby places
Out spotting insects & arthropods in Iowa?
Take Huck with you. Identify any insects & arthropod you find in seconds and build your collection.
Get HuckLove 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.