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Insects & Arthropods of Virginia

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

593,721
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 593,721 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Virginia. The most frequently seen is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with 34,272 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Virginia

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
34,272 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
29,184 observations
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
28,930 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
26,988 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
25,441 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
21,458 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
18,084 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
17,688 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
15,222 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
14,597 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
13,823 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
13,784 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
13,376 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
12,893 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
12,877 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
12,229 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
11,770 observations · iNaturalist
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
11,199 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
11,026 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
10,744 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
9,704 observations
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
9,654 observations · iNaturalist
Horned Passalus Beetle
Odontotaenius disjunctus
9,635 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
9,579 observations · iNaturalist
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
9,226 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
9,193 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
8,678 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
8,672 observations
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus
8,625 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
8,567 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
8,567 observations
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
8,459 observations
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
8,322 observations
Fragile Forktail
Ischnura posita
8,227 observations · iNaturalist
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
8,001 observations
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
7,678 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
7,571 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
7,468 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
7,424 observations · iNaturalist
Green Cloverworm Moth
Hypena scabra
7,370 observations · iNaturalist
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
6,996 observations · iNaturalist
European Hornet
Vespa crabro
6,900 observations
Pharaoh Cicada
Magicicada septendecim
6,848 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
6,841 observations
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
6,781 observations
Slaty Skimmer
Libellula incesta
6,739 observations · iNaturalist
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
6,683 observations
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
6,625 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
6,613 observations
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
6,490 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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