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Insects & Arthropods of Virginia

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

590,819
recent observations
50
species listed
50
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 590,819 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Virginia. The most frequently seen is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with 34,216 recorded sightings.

Most-observed insects & arthropods in Virginia

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
34,216 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
29,123 observations
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
28,764 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
26,877 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
24,915 observations
Huron Skipper
Atalopedes huron
21,296 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
18,018 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
17,574 observations
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
15,208 observations
Common Whitetail
Plathemis lydia
14,588 observations
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis
13,819 observations
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
13,697 observations
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
13,358 observations
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
12,890 observations
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Everes comyntas
12,860 observations
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
12,119 observations
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
11,768 observations · iNaturalist
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
11,002 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
10,696 observations
Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
10,680 observations
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma americana
9,649 observations · iNaturalist
North American Wheel Bug
Arilus cristatus
9,606 observations
Horned Passalus Beetle
Odontotaenius disjunctus
9,606 observations
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aurea
9,515 observations · iNaturalist
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
9,213 observations
Isabella Tiger Moth
Pyrrharctia isabella
9,123 observations
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
8,657 observations
Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus
8,617 observations
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
8,597 observations
Ebony Jewelwing
Calopteryx maculata
8,566 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
8,560 observations
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
8,455 observations
Orchard Orbweaver
Leucauge venusta
8,288 observations
Fragile Forktail
Ischnura posita
8,212 observations · iNaturalist
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Bombus griseocollis
7,945 observations
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
7,655 observations
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
7,536 observations
Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina
7,408 observations
Great Spangled Fritillary
Argynnis cybele
7,404 observations · iNaturalist
Green Cloverworm Moth
Hypena scabra
7,356 observations · iNaturalist
Tan Jumping Spider
Platycryptus undatus
6,984 observations · iNaturalist
European Hornet
Vespa crabro
6,878 observations
Pharaoh Cicada
Magicicada septendecim
6,844 observations
Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
6,789 observations
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
6,776 observations
Slaty Skimmer
Libellula incesta
6,738 observations · iNaturalist
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
6,679 observations
Banded Tussock Moth
Halysidota tessellaris
6,618 observations
Japanese Beetle
Popillia japonica
6,612 observations
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
6,465 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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