What insects & arthropods live in South Carolina?

Commonly observed insects & arthropods in South Carolina include Gulf Fritillary, Asian Lady Beetle, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Eastern Carpenter Bee, Golden Silk Spider, based on recent research-grade iNaturalist observations.

Insects & Arthropods of South Carolina

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

133,201

recent observations

species listed

insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 133,201 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in South Carolina. The most frequently seen is the Gulf Fritillary, with 7,468 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in South Carolina

Gulf Fritillary

Dione vanillae

7,468 observations · iNaturalist

Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis

6,130 observations

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

5,558 observations

Eastern Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa virginica

4,664 observations

Golden Silk Spider

Trichonephila clavipes

4,648 observations · iNaturalist

Joro Spider

Trichonephila clavata

4,285 observations

Eastern Pondhawk

Erythemis simplicicollis

4,252 observations

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Stagmomantis carolina

3,425 observations

Blue Dasher

Pachydiplax longipennis

3,340 observations

North American Luna Moth

2,864 observations · iNaturalist

Red-spotted Admiral

Limenitis arthemis

2,701 observations

Silver-spotted Skipper

Twin-flagged Jumping Spider

Anasaitis canosus

2,310 observations · iNaturalist

Great Blue Skimmer

Libellula vibrans

2,219 observations · iNaturalist

Long-tailed Skipper

Urbanus proteus

2,210 observations

Spinybacked Orbweaver

Gasteracantha cancriformis

1,982 observations · iNaturalist

Ebony Jewelwing

Calopteryx maculata

1,981 observations

North American Wheel Bug

Arilus cristatus

1,974 observations

Giant Leaf-footed Bug

Acanthocephala declivis

1,968 observations · iNaturalist

Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma disstria

1,950 observations · iNaturalist

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

1,923 observations

Eastern Eyed Click Beetle

Palamedes Swallowtail

Papilio palamedes

1,719 observations · iNaturalist

Two-lined Spittlebug

Prosapia bicincta

1,690 observations · iNaturalist

Fall Webworm Moth

Hyphantria cunea

1,684 observations

Variegated Fritillary

1,662 observations · iNaturalist

Magnolia Green Jumping Spider

Lyssomanes viridis

1,610 observations · iNaturalist

Common Green June Beetle

1,564 observations · iNaturalist

Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Atteva aurea

1,561 observations · iNaturalist

Carolina Satyr

Hermeuptychia sosybius

1,546 observations

White-marked Tussock Moth

Orgyia leucostigma

1,524 observations · iNaturalist

Banded Tussock Moth

Halysidota tessellaris

1,492 observations

Common Eastern Velvet Ant

Dasymutilla occidentalis

1,467 observations

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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