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.
The State Insect of Alabama: the Monarch Butterfly
Pixabay.com
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
More Information: The State Insect of Arizona
Fun Fact: This butterfly only lives in desert areas.
The State Insect of Arkansas: the European Honeybee
Pixabay.com
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 Insect of Georgia: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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.
The State Insect of Idaho: the Monarch Butterfly
Pixabay.com
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.
The State Insect of Illinois: the Monarch Butterfly
Pixabay.com
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.
The State Insect of Kansas; the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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.
The State Insect of Louisiana: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
Louisiana: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1977
More Information: Louisiana's State Insect
The State Insect of Maine: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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
The State Insect of Minnesota: the Monarch Butterfly
Pixabay.com
Minnesota: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 2000
More Information: Minnesota's State Insect
The State Insect of Mississippi: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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.
The State Insect of Missouri: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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."
The State Insect of Nebraska: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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
The State Insect of New Jersey: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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
North Carolina: European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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 Insect of Oklahoma: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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
The State Insect of South Dakota: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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 Agricultural Insect of Tennessee: the European Honeybee
Pixabay.com
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
More Information: Tennessee's State Insect
7-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)
Scientific Name: Coccinella septempunctata
Date Designated: 1975
More Information: Tennessee's State Insect
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
The State Insect of Texas: the Monarch Butterfly
Pixabay.com
Texas: Monarch Butterfly
Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
Date Designated: 1995
More Information: Texas' State Butterfly
The State Insect of Utah: the European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
Utah: European Honey Bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera
Date Designated: 1983
More Information: Utah's State Insect
The State Insect of Vermont: The European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
The State Butterfly of Vermont: The Monarch
Pixabay.com
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
The State Insect of West Virginia: The European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
The State Butterfly of West Virginia: The Monarch
Pixabay.com
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
The State Insect of Wisconsin: The European Honey Bee
Pixabay.com
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
Thank You for Using This Guide to State Insects!
As a middle-school teacher myself, I hope you found this guide to state insects and butterflies useful. Please leave a comment if we missed anything, or you have any suggestions.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
