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Insects & Arthropods of Kentucky

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

120,169
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 120,169 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Kentucky. The most frequently seen is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with 6,537 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Kentucky

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
6,537 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
6,168 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
4,281 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
4,164 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
3,920 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
3,470 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
3,201 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
3,158 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
3,059 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
3,024 observations · iNaturalist
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
3,015 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
2,920 observations · iNaturalist
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
2,894 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
2,616 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
2,607 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
2,581 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
2,496 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
2,459 observations
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus
2,457 observations
Hackberry Emperor
Asterocampa celtis
2,346 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
2,225 observations
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
2,138 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
2,048 observations
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
2,037 observations · iNaturalist
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
2,025 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
2,019 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
1,985 observations · iNaturalist
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
1,923 observations
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
1,918 observations
Silvery Checkerspot
Chlosyne nycteis
1,892 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
1,890 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
1,809 observations
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
1,800 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
1,774 observations
Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
1,697 observations
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
1,693 observations · iNaturalist
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
1,674 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
1,672 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
1,650 observations
Dark Fishing Spider
Dolomedes tenebrosus
1,645 observations
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
1,629 observations
Green Cloverworm Moth
Hypena scabra
1,616 observations · iNaturalist
Horned Passalus Beetle
Odontotaenius disjunctus
1,574 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
1,559 observations · iNaturalist
Reddish-brown Stag Beetle
Lucanus capreolus
1,513 observations
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
Chauliognathus marginatus
1,487 observations · iNaturalist
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
1,484 observations
Snowberry Clearwing
Hemaris diffinis
1,481 observations · iNaturalist
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
1,476 observations
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
1,463 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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