Insects & Arthropods of North Carolina
The insects & arthropods most often spotted in North Carolina, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed insects & arthropods in North Carolina
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
23,919 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
19,882 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
16,416 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
14,978 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
11,864 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
11,571 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
10,878 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
10,653 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
9,412 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
9,083 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
8,912 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
8,725 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
8,328 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
8,100 observations · iNaturalist
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
7,553 observations
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
6,995 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
6,980 observations
Joro Spider
Trichonephila clavata
6,916 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
6,761 observations · iNaturalist
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
6,710 observations · iNaturalist
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
6,682 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
6,474 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
6,390 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
5,985 observations · iNaturalist
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
5,937 observations
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
5,841 observations
Tulip-tree Beauty
Epimecis hortaria
5,758 observations · iNaturalist
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
5,420 observations
Eastern Eyed Click Beetle
Alaus oculatus
5,346 observations
Imperial Moth
Eacles imperialis
5,195 observations
Two-lined Spittlebug
Prosapia bicincta
5,139 observations · iNaturalist
Fall Webworm Moth
Hyphantria cunea
5,030 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
4,994 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
4,847 observations
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
4,735 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
4,725 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
4,659 observations
Marbled Orbweaver
Araneus marmoreus
4,640 observations · iNaturalist
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
4,568 observations
Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona crucifera
4,472 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
4,428 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
4,367 observations · iNaturalist
White-marked Tussock Moth
Orgyia leucostigma
4,297 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Cupido comyntas
4,291 observations · iNaturalist
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
4,277 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
4,169 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
4,144 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
4,143 observations · iNaturalist
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
4,087 observations
Rosy Maple Moth
Dryocampa rubicunda
3,968 observations · iNaturalist