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Monarch
Danaus plexippus
60,387 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
25,199 observations
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
24,565 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
23,807 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
23,475 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
19,608 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
19,184 observations
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
18,683 observations
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
17,062 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
16,866 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
16,018 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
15,746 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
14,813 observations
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
14,202 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
13,807 observations
California Sister
Adelpha californica
13,554 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
11,429 observations
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
10,790 observations
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
10,231 observations
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
10,197 observations
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
9,405 observations
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
9,157 observations
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
8,952 observations
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
8,553 observations
Echo Azure
Celastrina echo
7,474 observations
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
7,368 observations
Western Giant Swallowtail
Heraclides rumiko
7,251 observations
Western Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium exilis
7,113 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
6,593 observations
Behr's Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti
6,480 observations
Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
6,423 observations
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides
6,304 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
5,970 observations
Mournful Duskywing
Erynnis tristis
5,788 observations
Sara Orangetip
Anthocharis sara
5,244 observations
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
4,939 observations
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
4,938 observations
Common Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius communis
4,908 observations
Carolina Sphinx
Manduca sexta
4,346 observations
Funereal Duskywing
Erynnis funeralis
3,976 observations
Ceanothus Silk Moth
Hyalophora euryalus
3,776 observations
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
3,694 observations
California Oak Moth
Phryganidia californica
3,679 observations
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta
3,395 observations
Propertius Duskywing
Erynnis propertius
3,330 observations
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta
3,255 observations
Omnivorous Looper
Sabulodes aegrotata
3,205 observations
Queen
Danaus gilippus
3,190 observations
Lotus Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
3,109 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
3,069 observations
Frequently Asked Questions
- The 10 most common butterflies and moths in California are:
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
- Gray Buckeye (Junonia grisea)
- White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- Small White (Pieris rapae)
- Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- The most observed butterflies and moth in California is Monarch (Danaus plexippus), with 60,387 recorded observations.
- Some of the most commonly observed native butterflies and moths in California include:
- Gray Buckeye (Junonia grisea)
- Umber Skipper (Lon melane)
- Acmon Blue (Icaricia acmon)
- California Sister (Adelpha californica)
- Lorquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)