State Insects and Butterflies: Lessons for Teachers and Students
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State Insects and Butterflies: Information and Links for Teachers and Students
This guide to state insects and butterflies is easy to use and accurate. Each insect is pictured, with a link to more information. Whether you are a student looking for information for a project, a teacher looking for project ideas, an entomologist in need of information, or just someone curious about the subject, this guide to state insects will be useful.
Alabama: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1989
More Information: The State Insect of Alabama
Fun Fact: Both the monarch caterpillar and adult butterfly are protected from predators by the toxic sap of milkweed, the larval food plant.

The State Insect of Alaska: the 4-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly
By Charles James Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://c
Alaska: 4-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Libellula quadrimaculata
Date Designated: 1995
More Information: The State Insect of Alaska
Fun Fact: Dragonflies like the 4-spotted skimmer catch and eat their prey in mid-air.

The State Insect of Arizona: the Two-Tailed Swallowtail
By ALAN SCHMIERER - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sloalan/9423416184/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedi
Arizona: Two-Tailed Swallowtail
Scientific Name: Papilio multicaudata
Date Designated: 2001
Read More From Owlcation
More Information: The State Insect of Arizona
Fun Fact: This butterfly only lives in desert areas.

The State Butterfly of Arkansas: the Diana Fritillary
By Dr. Thomas G. Barnes, University of Kentucky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - This image origina
Arkansas: European Honey Bee, Diana Fritillary
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1973
More Information: State Insect of Arkansas
Diana Fritillary Butterfly (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Speyeria diana
Date Designated: 2007
More Information: State Butterfly of Arkansas

The State Insect of California: the California Dogface Butterfly
By Colorado State University - Taxon page - Image, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.
California: California Dogface Butterfly
Scientific Name: Zerene eurydice
Date Designated: 1972
More Information: The State Insect of California
Fun Fact: This butterfly gets its common name from the "dog face" shape on its upper wings.

The State Insect of Colorado: the Colorado Hairstreak
By Megan McCarty - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11526410
Colorado: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
Scientific Name: Hypaurotis crysalus
Date Designated: 1972
More Information: The State Insect of Colorado
Fun Fact: This butterfly is seldom found far from it's food plant, the gambel oak tree.

The State Insect of Connecticut: the European Mantis
By Alvesgaspar - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2641434
Connecticut: European Mantis
Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa
Date Designated: 1972
More Information: The State Insect of Connecticut
Fun Fact: Mantises have been kept as pets in parts of Asia for thousands of years.

The State Insect of Delaware: the 7-Spotted Ladybug
Photographer: Dominik Stodulski Graphic Processing: User:MathKnight, CC BY-SA 3.0

The State Butterfly of Delaware: the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) - Self-photographed, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikime
Delaware: 7-Spotted Ladybug, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
7-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Coccinella septempunctata
Date Designated: 1974
More Information: Delaware's State Insect
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Date Designated: 1999
More Information: Delaware's State Butterfly

The State Butterfly of Georgia: the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) - Self-photographed, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikime
Georgia: European Honey Bee, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1973
More Information: Georgia's State Insect
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Date Designated: 1988
More Information: Georgia's State Butterfly

The State Insect of Florida: the Zebra Longwing
By Inzilbeth - Photo taken by Inzilbeth, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?cur
Florida: Zebra Longwing Butterfly
Scientific Name: Heliconius charitonius
Date Designated: 1996
More Information: Florida's's State Insect
Fun Fact: The zebra longwing is a tropical insect found from Florida all the way to South America.

The State Insect of Hawaii: the Kamehameha Butterfly
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110682
Hawaii: Kamehameha Butterfly
Scientific Name: Vanessa tameamea
Date Designated: 2009
More Information: Hawaii's State Insect
Fun Fact: This insect is named after on of Hawaii's legendary rulers, King Kamehameha.
Idaho: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1992
More Information: Idaho's State Insect
Fun Fact: Monarchs are one of the world's most famous examples of butterfly migration.
Illinois: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1975
More Information: Illinois's State Insect
Fun Fact: The monarch gets its common name partly due to the fact that the white-on-black edging of the wings resembles the sable robes worn by kings.
Kansas: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1976
More Information: Kansas's State Insect
Fun Fact: European honeybees are the most successfully "domesticated" insect in the world. Others include silkworms and ladybugs.

The State Insect of Kentucky: the Viceroy Butterfly
By Benny Mazur from Toledo, OH - A Viceroy ButterflyUploaded by berichard, CC BY 2.0, https://common
Kentucky: Viceroy Butterfly
Scientific Name: Limenitis archippus
Date Designated: 1990
More Information: Kentucky's State Insect
Fun Fact: The viceroy is a near-perfect mimic of the monarch butterfly. Both are protected by having toxic chemicals in their tissues.
Louisiana: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1977
More Information: Louisiana's State Insect
Maine: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1975
More Information: Maine's State Insect

The State Insect of Maryland: the Baltimore Checkerspot
By Alison Hunter - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1008701
Maryland: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
Scientific Name: Euphydryas phaeton
Date Designated: 1973
More Information:Maryland's's State Insect
Fun Fact: The Baltimore checkerspot gets its name due to its orange and black colors, which are the same as the family crest of Maryland's founding family.

The State Insect of Massachusetts: the 7-Spotted Ladybug
Photographer: Dominik Stodulski Graphic Processing: User:MathKnight, CC BY-SA 3.0
Massachusetts: 7-Spotted Ladybug
Scientific Name: Coccinella septempunctata
Date Designated: 1974
More Information: Massachusetts' State Insect
Minnesota: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 2000
More Information: Minnesota's State Insect

The State Insect of Mississippi: the Spicebush Swallowtail
John Flannery from Richmond County, North Carolina, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Mississippi: European Honey Bee, Spicebush Swallowtail
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1980
More Information: Mississippi's State Insect
Spicebush Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Papilio troilus
Date Designated: 1991
More Information: Mississippi's State Butterfly
Fun Fact: This butterfly is sometimes confused with other swallowtails, but the green coloring on the male is unique.
Missouri: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1985
More Information: Missouri's State Insect

The State Insect of Montana: the Mourning Cloak Butterfly
By Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia - The Mourning Cloak, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wik
Montana: Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa
Date Designated: 2001
More Information: Montana's State Insect
Fun Fact: This butterfly is a rare prize for naturalists in England, where it is known as "The Camberwell Beauty."
Nebraska: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1975
More Information: Nebraska's State Insect

The State Insect of Nevada: the Vivid Dancer Damselfly
siamesepuppy from USA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Common
Nevada: Vivid Dancer Damselfly
Scientific Name: Argia vivida
Date Designated: 2009
More Information: Nebraska's State Insect
Fun Fact: Damselflies can be told from dragonflies by the way they hold their wings up over their back -- dragonflies hold their wings spread out flat.

The State Insect of New Hampshire: 7-Spotted Ladybug
By Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium - Coccinella magnifica, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikim

The State Butterfly of New Hampshire: the Karner Blue
By Hollingsworth, J & K - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Digital Library: WO-5309-020
New Hampshire: 7-Spotted Ladybug, Karner Blue Butterfly
7-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Coccinella septempunctata
Date Designated: 1977
More Information: New Hampshire's State Insect
Karner Blue (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Lycaeides melissa samuelis
Date Designated: 1992
More Information: New Hampshire's State Butterfly
New Jersey: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1974
More Information: New Jersey's State Insect

The State Insect of New Mexico: the Tarantula Hawk Wasp
Astrobradley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The State Butterfly of New Mexico: the Sandia Hairstreak
By Bill Bouton - https://www.flickr.com/photos/billbouton/5759203672/in/faves-sarahdollyphotography/
New Mexico: Tarantula Hawk Wasp, Sandia Hairstreak Butterfly
Tarantula Hawk Wasp (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Pepsis formosa
Date Designated: 1989
More Information: New Mexico State Insect
Sandia Hairstreak (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Callophrys mcfarlandi
Date Designated: 2003
More Information: New Mexico State Butterfly
Fun Fact: The Sandia hairstreak was discovered in the 1950's by a college student who was out collecting butterflies in the desert.

The State Insect of New York: the 9-Spotted Ladybug
By Frank E. Lutz - https://www.flickr.com/photos/biodivlibrary/6244370848, Public Domain, https://co
New York: 9-Spotted Ladybug
Scientific Name: Coccinella novemnotata
Date Designated: 1989
More Information: State Insect of New York

The State Insect of North Carolina: the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo (c)2008 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), GFDL 1.2
North Carolina: European Honey Bee, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1973
More Information: North Carolina's State Insect
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Date Designated: 2012
More Information: North Carolina's State Butterfly

The State Insect of Ohio: the 7-Spotted Ladybug
By Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium - Coccinella magnifica, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikim
Ohio: 7-Spotted Ladybug
Scientific Name: Coccinella septempunctata
Date Designated: 1975
More Information: Ohio's State Insect

The State Butterfly of Oklahoma: the Black Swallowtail
By Photo (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia
Oklahoma: European Honey Bee, Black Swallowtail
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1992
More Information: Oklahoma's State Insect
Black Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Papilio polyxenes
Date Designated: 1996
More Information: Oklahoma's State Butterfly

The State Insect of Oregon: the Oregon Swallowtail
By Entomolo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48664965
Oregon: Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio oregonius
Date Designated: 1996
More Information: Oregon's State Butterfly

The State Insect of Pennsylvania: the Pennsylvania firefly
By Bruce Marlin - Own work http://www.cirrusimage.com/beetle_firefly_Photuris_lucicrescens.htm, CC B
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Firefly
Scientific Name: Photuris pennsylvanica
Date Designated: 1974
More Information: Pennsylvania's State Insect

The State Insect of Rhode Island: the American Burying Beetle
By Andrew Butko, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4883985
Rhode Island: American Burying Beetle
Scientific Name: Nicrophorus americanus
Date Designated: 2015
More Information: Rhode Island's State Insect

The State Insect of South Carolina: the Carolina Mantis
By Kaldari - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7703514

The State Insect of South Carolina: the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Photo (c)2008 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), GFDL 1.2
South Carolina: Carolina Mantis, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Carolina Mantis (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Stagmomantis carolina
Date Designated: 1988
More Information: South Carolina's State Insect
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Date Designated: 1994
More Information: South Carolina's State Butterfly
South Dakota: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1978
More Information: South Dakota's State Insect

The State Insect of Tennessee: Common Eastern Firefly
By art farmer from evansville indiana, usa - firefly 8823, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.o

The State Insect of Tennessee: the 7-Spotted Ladybug
By Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium - Coccinella magnifica, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikim

The State Butterfly of Tennessee: the Zebra Swallowtail
By Megan McCarty - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5279919
Tennessee: Common Eastern Firefly, 7-Spotted Ladybug, European Honeybee, Zebra Swallowtail
Common Eastern Firefly (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Photinus pyralis
Date Designated: 1975
7-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Coccinella septempunctata
Date Designated: 1975
European Honeybee (State Agricultural Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1990
More Information: Tennessee's State Agricultural Insect
Zebra Swallowtail (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Protographium marcellus
Date Designated: 1995
More Information: Tennessee's State Butterfly
Texas: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1995
More Information: Texas' State Butterfly
Utah: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1983
More Information: Utah's State Insect
Vermont: European Honey Bee, Monarch Butterfly
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1978
More Information: Vermont's State Insect
Monarch (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1987
More Information: Vermont's State Butterfly

The State Insect of Virginia: The Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo (c)2008 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), GFDL 1.2
Virginia: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus
Date Designated: 1994
More Information: Virginia's State Insect

The State Insect of Washington: The Green Darner Dragonfly
Chuck Evans Mcevan, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Com
Washington: Green Darner Dragonfly
Scientific Name: Anax junius
Date Designated: 1997
More Information: Washington's State Insect
West Virginia: European Honey Bee, Monarch Butterfly
European Honey Bee (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 2002
More Information: West Virginia's State Insect
Monarch (State Butterfly)
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1995
More Information: West Virginia's State Butterfly
Wisconsin: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1977
More Information: Wisconsin's State Insect

The State Butterfly of Wyoming: Sheridan's Green Hairstreak
https://statesymbolsusa.org/states/united-states/wyoming
Wyoming: Sheridan's Green Hairstreak Butterfly
Scientific Name: Callophrys sheridanii
Date Designated: 2009
More Information: Wyoming's State Butterfly