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Insects & Arthropods of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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

1,846
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 1,846 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Carlsbad Caverns. The most frequently seen is the American Rubyspot, with 92 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Carlsbad Caverns

American Rubyspot
Hetaerina americana
92 observations
Queen
Danaus gilippus
74 observations · iNaturalist
Variable Dancer
Argia fumipennis
70 observations
Kiowa Dancer
Argia immunda
67 observations · iNaturalist
Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
66 observations · iNaturalist
Texas Brown Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi
66 observations · iNaturalist
Yellow-legged Ringtail
Erpetogomphus crotalinus
64 observations · iNaturalist
Springwater Dancer
Argia funebris
60 observations · iNaturalist
Sleepy Orange
Eurema nicippe
59 observations · iNaturalist
Aztec Dancer
Argia nahuana
58 observations · iNaturalist
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
50 observations
Arroyo Bluet
Enallagma praevarum
50 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Ringtail
Erpetogomphus designatus
49 observations · iNaturalist
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
47 observations
Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum corruptum
46 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Damsel
Hesperagrion heterodoxum
44 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Firetail
Telebasis salva
44 observations · iNaturalist
Plains Lubber Grasshopper
Brachystola magna
42 observations · iNaturalist
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
39 observations
Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile
38 observations
Reakirt's Blue
Echinargus isola
37 observations · iNaturalist
Autumn Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum
36 observations
White-lined Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca albolineata
32 observations · iNaturalist
Bird Toxonprucha
Toxonprucha volucris
30 observations · iNaturalist
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
29 observations
Western Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica
28 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
27 observations
Dainty Sulphur
Nathalis iole
26 observations
Phaon Crescent
Phyciodes phaon
26 observations · iNaturalist
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
25 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
25 observations
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
25 observations · iNaturalist
Filigree Skimmer
Pseudoleon superbus
25 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
24 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
24 observations
Swift Setwing
Dythemis velox
24 observations · iNaturalist
Rough Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex rugosus
23 observations · iNaturalist
Arizona Mantis
Stagmomantis limbata
22 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca nitens
21 observations · iNaturalist
Common Checkered-Skipper And Allies
Burnsius communis
21 observations · iNaturalist
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
20 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
20 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
20 observations
Orange Skipperling
Oarisma aurantiaca
20 observations · iNaturalist
Sooty Dancer
Argia lugens
19 observations · iNaturalist
Tropical Least Skipper
Ancyloxypha arene
19 observations · iNaturalist
Cruel Toxonprucha
Toxonprucha crudelis
19 observations · iNaturalist
Bordered Patch
Chlosyne lacinia
18 observations
Plateau Spreadwing
Lestes alacer
18 observations · iNaturalist
Mexican Yellow
Eurema mexicana
18 observations · iNaturalist

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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