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Insects & Arthropods of Kentucky

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

120,289
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 120,289 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Kentucky. The most frequently seen is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with 6,550 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Kentucky

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
6,550 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
5,783 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
4,296 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
4,263 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
3,932 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
3,475 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
3,215 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
3,173 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
3,068 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
3,038 observations · iNaturalist
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
3,024 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
2,942 observations · iNaturalist
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
2,896 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
2,635 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
2,619 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
2,586 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
2,497 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
2,461 observations
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus
2,459 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
2,351 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
2,251 observations
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
2,138 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
2,050 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
2,047 observations
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
2,039 observations · iNaturalist
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
2,028 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
1,989 observations · iNaturalist
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
1,934 observations
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
1,925 observations
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
1,893 observations
Silvery Checkerspot
Chlosyne nycteis
1,892 observations · iNaturalist
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
1,811 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
1,810 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
1,779 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
1,697 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
1,693 observations · iNaturalist
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
1,685 observations
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
1,680 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
1,651 observations
Dark Fishing Spider
Dolomedes tenebrosus
1,650 observations
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
1,637 observations
Green Cloverworm Moth
Hypena scabra
1,618 observations · iNaturalist
Horned Passalus Beetle
Odontotaenius disjunctus
1,581 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
1,566 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
1,559 observations · iNaturalist
Reddish-brown Stag Beetle
Lucanus capreolus
1,514 observations
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
Chauliognathus marginatus
1,487 observations · iNaturalist
Snowberry Clearwing
Hemaris diffinis
1,481 observations · iNaturalist
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
1,478 observations
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
1,463 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.

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