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Insects & Arthropods of Illinois

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

329,411
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 329,411 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Illinois. The most frequently seen is the Common Eastern Bumble Bee, with 26,817 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Illinois

Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
26,817 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
23,928 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
20,055 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
17,017 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
10,668 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
10,629 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
10,218 observations
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
9,498 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
8,988 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
8,196 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
8,129 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
7,747 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
7,475 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
6,938 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
6,477 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
5,877 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
5,560 observations
Ligated Furrow Bee
Halictus ligatus
5,508 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
5,478 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
5,194 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
5,097 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
4,788 observations · iNaturalist
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
4,725 observations · iNaturalist
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
Bombus auricomus
4,654 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
4,570 observations · iNaturalist
Red Milkweed Beetle
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
4,557 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
4,541 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
4,501 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
4,477 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
4,317 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
4,306 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
4,294 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
4,218 observations
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
3,820 observations · iNaturalist
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
3,814 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
3,812 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
3,699 observations
Eastern Forktail
Ischnura verticalis
3,635 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
3,620 observations
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
3,597 observations
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
3,592 observations
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
3,557 observations
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
3,485 observations
Bald-faced Hornet
Dolichovespula maculata
3,470 observations
Peck's Skipper
Polites peckius
3,411 observations · iNaturalist
Green Cloverworm Moth
Hypena scabra
3,402 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
3,386 observations
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
3,364 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
3,212 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
3,093 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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