Insects & Arthropods of North Carolina
The insects & arthropods most often spotted in North Carolina, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
379,490
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods
Naturalists have logged 379,490 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in North Carolina. The most frequently seen is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with 25,373 recorded sightings.
Most-observed insects & arthropods in North Carolina
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
25,373 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
20,309 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
17,069 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
15,412 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
12,176 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
12,037 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
11,891 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
10,976 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
9,776 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
9,680 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
9,403 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
8,960 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
8,937 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
8,180 observations · iNaturalist
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
7,851 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
7,405 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
7,279 observations · iNaturalist
Joro Spider
Trichonephila clavata
7,166 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
7,070 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
7,047 observations
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
6,787 observations · iNaturalist
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
6,639 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
6,526 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
6,201 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
6,196 observations · iNaturalist
Tulip-tree Beauty
Epimecis hortaria
6,137 observations · iNaturalist
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
5,999 observations
Imperial Moth
Eacles imperialis
5,956 observations
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
5,689 observations
Eastern Eyed Click Beetle
Alaus oculatus
5,563 observations
Two-lined Spittlebug
Prosapia bicincta
5,432 observations · iNaturalist
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
5,359 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
5,198 observations
Fall Webworm Moth
Hyphantria cunea
5,131 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
5,117 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
4,994 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
4,908 observations
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
4,694 observations
Marbled Orbweaver
Araneus marmoreus
4,676 observations · iNaturalist
Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona crucifera
4,598 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
4,560 observations · iNaturalist
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
4,553 observations
Rosy Maple Moth
Dryocampa rubicunda
4,412 observations · iNaturalist
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
4,397 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
4,371 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
4,370 observations
White-marked Tussock Moth
Orgyia leucostigma
4,331 observations · iNaturalist
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
4,297 observations · iNaturalist
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
4,220 observations
Green Lynx Spider
Peucetia viridans
4,182 observations · iNaturalist
Insects & Arthropods in nearby places
Out spotting insects & arthropods in North Carolina?
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.