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Insects & Arthropods of North Carolina

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

410,654
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 410,654 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in North Carolina. The most frequently seen is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with 26,726 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in North Carolina

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
26,726 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
21,445 observations
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
18,689 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
18,074 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
14,656 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
12,892 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
12,600 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
11,996 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
10,415 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
10,350 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
9,978 observations
Joro Spider
Trichonephila clavata
9,765 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
9,746 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
9,318 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
9,060 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
8,947 observations · iNaturalist
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
8,324 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
7,761 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
7,427 observations
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
7,285 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
7,258 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
6,866 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
6,865 observations · iNaturalist
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
6,793 observations
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
6,574 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
6,306 observations
Imperial Moth
Eacles imperialis
6,273 observations
Tulip-tree Beauty
Epimecis hortaria
6,240 observations · iNaturalist
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
6,085 observations
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
5,918 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
5,765 observations
Two-lined Spittlebug
Prosapia bicincta
5,708 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Eyed Click Beetle
Alaus oculatus
5,614 observations
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
5,474 observations
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
5,427 observations
Fall Webworm Moth
Hyphantria cunea
5,395 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
5,058 observations
Spotted Orbweaver
Neoscona crucifera
4,998 observations
Marbled Orbweaver
Araneus marmoreus
4,970 observations · iNaturalist
Cloudless Sulphur
Phoebis sennae
4,951 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
4,940 observations · iNaturalist
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
4,766 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
4,748 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
4,712 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
4,674 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
4,626 observations
Green Lynx Spider
Peucetia viridans
4,582 observations · iNaturalist
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
4,572 observations · iNaturalist
Rosy Maple Moth
Dryocampa rubicunda
4,522 observations · iNaturalist
American Bumble Bee
Bombus pensylvanicus
4,520 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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