Insects & Arthropods of San Francisco, California
The insects & arthropods most often spotted near San Francisco, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
135,568
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods
Naturalists have logged 135,568 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near San Francisco. The most frequently seen is the Monarch, with 12,660 recorded sightings.
Most-observed insects & arthropods near San Francisco
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
12,660 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
9,384 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
6,673 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
5,231 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
4,770 observations · iNaturalist
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
4,398 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
4,363 observations
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
4,318 observations · iNaturalist
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
3,832 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
3,625 observations
Noble False Widow
Steatoda nobilis
3,569 observations · iNaturalist
Convergent Lady Beetle
Hippodamia convergens
3,269 observations
Cross Orbweaver
Araneus diadematus
3,216 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
3,206 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
3,184 observations · iNaturalist
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
3,154 observations · iNaturalist
Black-tailed Bumble Bee
Bombus melanopygus
3,083 observations · iNaturalist
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
3,004 observations · iNaturalist
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
2,765 observations
Johnson's Jumping Spider
Phidippus johnsoni
2,507 observations · iNaturalist
Vivid Dancer
Argia vivida
2,285 observations · iNaturalist
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
2,223 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
2,008 observations
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
Bombus vosnesenskii
1,946 observations · iNaturalist
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
1,922 observations
European Mantis
Mantis religiosa
1,858 observations
Western Yellowjacket
Vespula pensylvanica
1,842 observations · iNaturalist
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
1,780 observations · iNaturalist
Bronze Beetle
Chrysolina bankii
1,732 observations · iNaturalist
Common Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius communis
1,652 observations · iNaturalist
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
1,608 observations
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
1,591 observations · iNaturalist
Mediterranean Katydid
Phaneroptera nana
1,568 observations · iNaturalist
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
1,545 observations
California Oak Moth
Phryganidia californica
1,481 observations · iNaturalist
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
1,462 observations
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
1,394 observations
California Lady Beetle
Coccinella californica
1,335 observations · iNaturalist
Echo Azure
Celastrina echo
1,334 observations · iNaturalist
Coyote Brush Bud Gall Midge
Rhopalomyia californica
1,327 observations · iNaturalist
Western Forest Scorpion
Uroctonus mordax
1,256 observations · iNaturalist
Horse-fly Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa tabaniformis
1,205 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
1,194 observations · iNaturalist
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
1,158 observations
Argentine Ant
Linepithema humile
1,154 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
1,135 observations · iNaturalist
Grey House Spider
Badumna longinqua
1,115 observations · iNaturalist
Mediterranean Spiny False Wolf Spider
Zoropsis spinimana
1,092 observations
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula
1,085 observations
Flame Skimmer
Libellula saturata
1,070 observations · iNaturalist
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