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Insects & Arthropods of Yellowstone National Park

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

5,975
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 5,975 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Yellowstone. The most frequently seen is the Flame Skimmer, with 355 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Yellowstone include Western Bumble Bee - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Western Bumble Bee

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Yellowstone

Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
355 observations · iNaturalist
Mormon Fritillary
Argynnis mormonia
345 observations · iNaturalist
Rocky Mountain Parnassian
Parnassius smintheus
261 observations · iNaturalist
White-spotted Sawyer
Monochamus scutellatus
253 observations
Boisduval's Blue
Icaricia icarioides
213 observations · iNaturalist
Essex Skipper
Thymelicus lineola
206 observations · iNaturalist
Western Pondhawk
Erythemis collocata
199 observations · iNaturalist
Mormon Cricket
Anabrus simplex
199 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
189 observations
Small Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis oetus
177 observations · iNaturalist
Blue Copper
Tharsalea heteronea
176 observations · iNaturalist
Edith's Copper
Tharsalea editha
160 observations · iNaturalist
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
148 observations
Hayden's Ringlet
Coenonympha haydenii
146 observations · iNaturalist
Transverse Lady Beetle
Coccinella transversoguttata
146 observations · iNaturalist
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
141 observations
Common Alpine
Erebia epipsodea
135 observations · iNaturalist
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
133 observations
Red-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus rufocinctus
128 observations
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
123 observations
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Aglais milberti
119 observations · iNaturalist
Ornate Checkered Beetle
Trichodes ornatus
118 observations
Vancouver Bumble Bee
Bombus vancouverensis
112 observations · iNaturalist
Police Car Moth
Gnophaela vermiculata
108 observations · iNaturalist
Yellow Velvet Beetle
Lepturobosca chrysocoma
103 observations · iNaturalist
Nevada Bumble Bee
Bombus nevadensis
87 observations
Vivid Dancer
Argia vivida
86 observations · iNaturalist
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
79 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
77 observations
Greenish Blue
Icaricia saepiolus
76 observations · iNaturalist
Western Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma californica
72 observations · iNaturalist
Green Comma
Polygonia faunus
70 observations
California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle
Coelocnemis dilaticollis
70 observations · iNaturalist
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
66 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
66 observations · iNaturalist
Relict Fritillary
Boloria kriemhild
63 observations · iNaturalist
Two-striped Grasshopper
Melanoplus bivittatus
61 observations · iNaturalist
Large Marble
Euchloe ausonides
59 observations · iNaturalist
Pale Snaketail
Ophiogomphus severus
59 observations · iNaturalist
Hoary Comma
Polygonia gracilis
58 observations
Western Pine Elfin
Callophrys eryphon
57 observations · iNaturalist
Mariposa Copper
Tharsalea mariposa
57 observations · iNaturalist
Clouded Sulphur
Colias philodice
55 observations
Julia Orangetip
Anthocharis julia
55 observations · iNaturalist
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
54 observations
Wetsalts Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia hemorrhagica
54 observations · iNaturalist
Thicket Hairstreak
Callophrys spinetorum
53 observations · iNaturalist
Common Drone Fly
Eristalis tenax
52 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
48 observations
Western Bumble Bee
Bombus occidentalis
48 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.

Insects & Arthropods in nearby places

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