List of U.S. state insects

Last updated

State insects are designated by 48 individual states of the fifty United States. Some states have more than one designated insect, or have multiple categories (e.g., state insect and state butterfly, etc.). Iowa and Michigan are the two states without a designated state insect.

Contents

More than half of the insects chosen are not native to North America, because of the inclusion of three European species (European honey bee, European mantis, and 7-spotted ladybird), each having been chosen by multiple states.

Table

StateState insect Binomial
name
ImageYear
Alabama Monarch butterfly
(state insect)
Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 1989 [1]
Queen Honey bee
(state agricultural insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera (queen and workers).jpg 2005 [2]
Eastern tiger swallowtail
(state butterfly and mascot)
Papilio glaucus Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg 1989 [3]
Alaska Four-spotted skimmer dragonfly Libellula quadrimaculata Libellula quadrimaculata - Vierflecklibelle.jpg 1995 [4]
Arizona Two-tailed swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio multicaudata Papilio multicaudata.jpg 2001 [5]
Arkansas European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1973 [6]
Diana fritillary butterfly
(state butterfly)
Speyeria diana Speyeria diana 234233304.jpg 2007 [6]
California California dogface butterfly

(state butterfly)

Zerene eurydice Zerene eurydice 150367039.jpg 1972 [7]
Colorado Colorado hairstreak Hypaurotis crysalus Hypaurotis crysalus 140995323.jpg 1996 [8]
Connecticut European mantis Mantis religiosa Have you seen my husband - Flickr - Mamonello.jpg 1977 [9]
Delaware 7-spotted ladybug
(state bug)
Coccinella septempunctata BIEDRONA.JPG 1974 [10]
Eastern tiger swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio glaucus Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg 1999 [11]
Stonefly
(state macroinvertebrate)
Order Plecoptera Pteronarcyidae.jpg 2005 [12]
Florida Zebra longwing
(state butterfly)
Heliconius charitonius Heliconius charithonia Kaldari 1 cropped.jpg 1996 [13]
Georgia European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1975 [14]
Eastern tiger swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio glaucus Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg 1988 [15]
Hawaii Kamehameha butterfly Vanessa tameamea Starr-180723-0472-Acacia koa-with Kamehameha Butterfly Vanessa tameamea resting on underside of branch-Kipahulu Forest Reserve-Maui (44703967131).jpg 2009 [16]
Idaho Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 1992 [17]
Illinois Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 1975 [18]
Indiana Say's firefly Pyractomena angulata Firefly composite.jpg 2018 [19]
Kansas European honey bee Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1976 [20]
Kentucky European honey bee
(state agricultural insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 2010 [21]
Viceroy butterfly
(state butterfly)
Limenitis archippus Viceroy Butterfly.jpg 1990 [22]
Louisiana European honey bee (state insect)Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1977 [23]
Gulf fritillary (state butterfly)Dione vanillae Gulf Fritillary. Agraulis vanillae (37617073115).jpg 2022 [24]
Maine European honey bee (state insect)Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1975 [25]
Pink-edged Sulphur (state butterfly)Colias interior Pink-edged Sulphur, PE County.jpg 2023 [26]
Maryland Baltimore checkerspot butterfly Euphydryas phaeton BaltimoreDS.jpg 1973 [27]
Massachusetts Ladybug Family Coccinellidae BIEDRONA.JPG 1974 [28]
Minnesota Monarch butterfly
(state butterfly)
Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 2000 [29]
Rusty patched bumblebee
(state bee)
Bombus affinis Bombus affinis, m, racine wi, LW Macior 1964 face 2017-02-15-09.26 (32801121931).jpg 2019 [30]
Mississippi European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1980 [31]
Spicebush swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio troilus Spicebush Swallowtail in August.jpg 1991 [31]
Missouri European honey bee Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1985 [32]
Montana Mourning cloak butterfly
(state butterfly)
Nymphalis antiopa Nymphalis antiopa.jpg 2001 [33]
Nebraska European honey bee Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1975 [34]
Nevada Vivid dancer damselfly Argia vivida Vivid Dancer - Argia vivida, Packer Lake, California.jpg 2009 [35]
New Hampshire 7-spotted ladybug
(state insect)
Coccinella septempunctata BIEDRONA.JPG 1977 [36]
Karner blue butterfly
(state butterfly)
Plebejus melissa samuelis Lycaeides melissa samuelis (cropped).jpg 1992 [36]
New Jersey European honey bee
(state bug)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1974 [37]
Black swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio polyxenes Pristine Black Swallowtail.jpg 2014 [38]
New Mexico Tarantula hawk wasp
(state insect)
Pepsis grossa Pepsis sp 02.jpg 1989 [39]
Sandia hairstreak
(state butterfly)
Callophrys mcfarlandi Callophrys mcfarlandi 1.jpg 2003 [40]
New York 9-spotted ladybug Coccinella novemnotata Coccinella novemnotata 1.jpg 1989 [41]
North Carolina European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1973 [42]
Eastern tiger swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio glaucus Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg 2012 [43]
North Dakota Convergent lady beetle Hippodamia convergens Convergent Ladybeetle (29666700695).jpg 2011 [44]
Ohio Ladybug Family Coccinellidae BIEDRONA.JPG 1975 [45]
Oklahoma European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1992 [46]
Black swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio polyxenes Pristine Black Swallowtail.jpg 1996 [46]
Oregon Oregon swallowtail Papilio oregonius Papiliooregoniusstamp.jpeg 1979 [47]
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania firefly Photuris pennsylvanica Photuris pensylvanica.jpg 1974 [48]
Rhode Island American burying beetle Nicrophorus americanus Nicrophorus americanus - Sankt-Peterburg.jpg 2015 [49]
South Carolina Carolina mantis
(state insect)
Stagmomantis carolina Mantis2 6065.jpg 1988 [50]
Eastern tiger swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Papilio glaucus Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg 1994 [51]
South Dakota European honey bee Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1978 [52]
Tennessee Common eastern firefly
(state insect)
Photinus pyralis Photinus pyralis Firefly 2.jpg 1975 [53]
7-spotted ladybug
(state insect)
Coccinella septempunctata BIEDRONA.JPG 1975 [53]
European honey bee
(state agricultural insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1990 [53]
Zebra swallowtail
(state butterfly)
Eurytides marcellus Eurytides marcellus 1 - Desert Botanical Garden.jpg 1995 [53]
Texas Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 1995 [54]
Utah European honey bee Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1983 [55]
Vermont European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1978 [56]
Monarch butterfly
(state butterfly)
Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 1987 [57]
Virginia Eastern tiger swallowtail Papilio glaucus Pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.jpg [58]
Washington Green darner dragonfly Anax junius Green Darner.jpg 1997 [59]
West Virginia European honey bee
(state insect)
Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 2002 [60]
Monarch butterfly
(state butterfly)
Danaus plexippus Monarch In May.jpg 1995 [61]
Wisconsin European honey bee Apis mellifera Apis mellifera bi.jpg 1977 [62]
Wyoming Sheridan's green hairstreak Callophrys sheridanii Callophrys sheridanii 15737 (cropped).JPG 2009 [63]

See also

References

  1. "Official Alabama Insect". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2001-07-12. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  2. "Alabama HB286 | 2015 | Regular Session".
  3. "Alabama Department of Archives and History, Alabama Emblems: Official State Mascot, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail".
  4. "Alaska Kids' Corner, State of Alaska".
  5. "State Butterfly | Arizona State Library".
  6. 1 2 Arkansas - State symbols and emblems
  7. "State Symbols - California State Library".
  8. "Symbols & Emblems | Archives".
  9. "The State Insect".
  10. Delaware Code Title 29 § 309
  11. Delaware Code Title 29 § 315
  12. "Chapter - Delaware General Assembly".
  13. State Symbols Archived 2007-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
  14. State Symbols Archived 2008-02-12 at the Wayback Machine of Georgia, Georgia General Assembly
  15. State Butterfly Archived 2007-11-28 at the Wayback Machine , Office of Secretary of State of Georgia website.
  16. Cooper, Jeanne (2009-08-21). "Emblems of Hawaii a surprise to many Americans". San Francisco Chronicle.
  17. "Idaho Symbols, Insect: Monarch Butterfly". Idaho State Symbols, Emblems, and Mascots. SHG resources, state handbook & guide. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  18. "State Symbol: Illinois Official Insect — Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)". [Illinois] State Symbols. Illinois State Museum. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  19. "Say's Firefly to become state insect after bill lights its way through the Indiana House" . Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  20. "Kansas Symbols - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society".
  21. "2019 Kentucky Revised Statutes :: Chapter 2 - Citizenship, emblems, holidays, and time :: 2.081 State agricultural insect".
  22. "2019 Kentucky Revised Statutes :: Chapter 2 - Citizenship, emblems, holidays, and time :: 2.083 State butterfly".
  23. "2018 Louisiana Laws :: Revised Statutes :: TITLE 49 - State Administration :: RS 49:164 - State insect".
  24. "2022 Louisiana Laws :: Revised Statutes :: Title 49 - State Administration :: RS 49:164.1 - State butterfly".
  25. "Title 1, §214: State insect".
  26. Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, Chapter 9, Subchapter 1, Section 231
  27. "Marylands Kids Page - State Symbols". Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  28. "CIS: State Symbols". Archived from the original on 2004-07-27.
  29. "Minnesota State Symbols" (PDF). Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  30. Gunderson, Dan (May 31, 2019). "Meet the rusty patched bumblebee, Minnesota's new bee ambassador". NPR News . Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  31. 1 2 State Symbols Archived 2009-11-04 at the Wayback Machine , p. 4. Office of the Secretary of State of Mississippi. Retrieved 2008-03-29
  32. "Missouri State Insect - Missouri Secretary of State".
  33. "State Symbols". Archived from the original on 2011-04-01.
  34. "File not found | School pf Natural Resources | University of Nebraska-Lincoln". Archived from the original on 2015-03-29.
  35. "Designates the official state insect of Nevada. (BDR 19-914)", Nevada Legislature. Retrieved 2017-03-28
  36. 1 2 State Animal, the New Hampshire Almanac, New Hampshire State Library. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
  37. "The Official Web Site for the State of New Jersey | Symbols".
  38. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2020-07-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. Welcome to the New Mexico State Capitol Archived 2014-02-21 at the Wayback Machine (brochure), New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
  40. House Bill 13, 46th Legislature of the State of New Mexico. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
  41. "Symbols of New York State", New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved 2008-03-30
  42. "Official State Symbols of North Carolina". North Carolina State Library. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
  43. State butterfly: Eastern tiger swallowtail (NCpedia)
  44. State Insect ND.gov
  45. "Symbols of Ohio - Ohio Secretary of State". Archived from the original on 2018-08-18.
  46. 1 2 Oklahoma Almanac, State Emblems (pp. 37-40)
  47. "State of Oregon: Blue Book - Oregon Almanac: Hydropower Projects to State Motto".
  48. "Act of Apr. 10, 1974, P.L. 247, No. 59". Pennsylvania General Assembly . Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  49. "State Insect Bill Approved". NewsRadio 920 WHJJ. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  50. "The State Insect". South Carolina Legislature Online. Archived from the original on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  51. The State Butterfly, South Carolina Legislature Online. Retrieved 2008-03-29
  52. "Tidbits". Ludington Daily News. Aug 4, 2001. p. 33. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  53. 1 2 3 4 State Symbols Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine , Tennessee Department of State. Retrieved 2008-03-29
  54. "Texas State Symbols". The Texas State Library and Archives. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  55. Utah State Insect - Honey Bee Archived 2012-11-14 at the Wayback Machine from pioneer.utah.gov "Pioneer: Utah's Online Library" page. Retrieved on 2008-09-08
  56. "(Vermont) State Insect". Vermont Department of Libraries. Archived from the original on 2009-02-22. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
  57. "(Vermont) State Butterfly". Vermont Department of Libraries. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  58. "§ 1-510. Official emblems and designations".
  59. "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
  60. "Appendix A/State Profile (State of West Virginia FY 2009 Executive Budget)" (PDF). Official West Virginia Web Portal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-03-29. Page 21 (547).
  61. "West Virginia Statistical Information, General State Information" (PDF). Official West Virginia Web Portal. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  62. "Wisconsin State Symbols". State of Wisconsin. Archived from the original on 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  63. "Wyoming State Symbols". State of Wyoming. Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2014-05-14.