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Insects & Arthropods of Montana

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

27,447
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 27,447 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Montana. The most frequently seen is the California Tortoiseshell, with 1,078 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Montana

California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
1,078 observations
Vancouver Bumble Bee
Bombus vancouverensis
948 observations · iNaturalist
White-spotted Sawyer
Monochamus scutellatus
932 observations
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
895 observations
Mormon Fritillary
Argynnis mormonia
805 observations · iNaturalist
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
788 observations
Hunt's Bumble Bee
Bombus huntii
759 observations · iNaturalist
Western Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma californica
732 observations · iNaturalist
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Leptoglossus occidentalis
722 observations · iNaturalist
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
714 observations
Essex Skipper
Thymelicus lineola
709 observations · iNaturalist
European Mantis
Mantis religiosa
698 observations
Police Car Moth
Gnophaela vermiculata
683 observations · iNaturalist
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
668 observations
Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth
Hyles euphorbiae
656 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
610 observations
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Aglais milberti
608 observations · iNaturalist
Two-striped Grasshopper
Melanoplus bivittatus
599 observations · iNaturalist
Boisduval's Blue
Icaricia icarioides
593 observations · iNaturalist
Green Comma
Polygonia faunus
578 observations
Rocky Mountain Parnassian
Parnassius smintheus
564 observations · iNaturalist
Common Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis pegala
553 observations
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
531 observations
Small Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis oetus
514 observations · iNaturalist
Goldenrod Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
504 observations
Ornate Checkered Beetle
Trichodes ornatus
476 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
465 observations · iNaturalist
Common Alpine
Erebia epipsodea
462 observations · iNaturalist
Banded Garden Spider
Argiope trifasciata
453 observations · iNaturalist
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
430 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
426 observations
Mormon Cricket
Anabrus simplex
420 observations
Common Drone Fly
Eristalis tenax
418 observations
Nevada Bumble Bee
Bombus nevadensis
412 observations
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
410 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
408 observations
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
404 observations
Clouded Sulphur
Colias philodice
397 observations
Transverse Lady Beetle
Coccinella transversoguttata
396 observations · iNaturalist
Hoary Comma
Polygonia gracilis
387 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
376 observations · iNaturalist
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
374 observations
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides
369 observations · iNaturalist
Two-tailed Swallowtail
Papilio multicaudata
369 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Boxelder Bug
Boisea trivittata
368 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
367 observations · iNaturalist
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
366 observations
Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
363 observations · iNaturalist
Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee
Bombus insularis
353 observations · iNaturalist
Yellow Velvet Beetle
Lepturobosca chrysocoma
337 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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