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Insects & Arthropods of Iowa

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

69,619
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 69,619 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Iowa. The most frequently seen is the Monarch, with 5,825 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Iowa

Monarch
Danaus plexippus
5,825 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
5,465 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
3,614 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
2,566 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
2,188 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
2,181 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
1,990 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
1,946 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
1,879 observations
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
1,863 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
1,803 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
1,710 observations · iNaturalist
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
1,444 observations
Differential Grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis
1,421 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
1,414 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
1,344 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
1,314 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
1,236 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
1,218 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
1,209 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
1,177 observations
American Bumble Bee
Bombus pensylvanicus
1,151 observations
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
Bombus auricomus
1,087 observations
Red Milkweed Beetle
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus
1,079 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
1,034 observations · iNaturalist
Chickweed Geometer Moth
Haematopis grataria
1,032 observations · iNaturalist
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
999 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
984 observations
Northern Paper Wasp
Polistes fuscatus
963 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
954 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
951 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
921 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
900 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
876 observations
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
Chauliognathus marginatus
864 observations · iNaturalist
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
842 observations · iNaturalist
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
839 observations · iNaturalist
Virginian Tiger Moth
Spilosoma virginica
830 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
810 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
797 observations
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
782 observations
Eastern Boxelder Bug
Boisea trivittata
765 observations
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
740 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
724 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
712 observations · iNaturalist
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
660 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
657 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
632 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
614 observations
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee
Melissodes bimaculatus
613 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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