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Monarch
Danaus plexippus
59,823 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
25,136 observations
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
23,909 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
23,741 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
23,414 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
19,431 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
19,065 observations
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
18,612 observations
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
16,923 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
16,747 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
15,957 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
15,524 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
14,647 observations
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
14,085 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
13,711 observations
California Sister
Adelpha californica
13,464 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
11,382 observations
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
10,647 observations
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
10,136 observations
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
10,125 observations
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
9,305 observations
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
9,083 observations
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
8,850 observations
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
8,486 observations
Echo Azure
Celastrina echo
7,436 observations
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
7,295 observations
Western Giant Swallowtail
Heraclides rumiko
7,151 observations
Western Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium exilis
7,082 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
6,540 observations
Behr's Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti
6,438 observations
Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
6,380 observations
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides
6,301 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
5,918 observations
Mournful Duskywing
Erynnis tristis
5,761 observations
Sara Orangetip
Anthocharis sara
5,240 observations
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
4,934 observations
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
4,908 observations
Common Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius communis
4,875 observations
Carolina Sphinx
Manduca sexta
4,330 observations
Funereal Duskywing
Erynnis funeralis
3,932 observations
Ceanothus Silk Moth
Hyalophora euryalus
3,746 observations
California Oak Moth
Phryganidia californica
3,667 observations
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
3,646 observations
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta
3,379 observations
Propertius Duskywing
Erynnis propertius
3,313 observations
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta
3,247 observations
Omnivorous Looper
Sabulodes aegrotata
3,185 observations
Queen
Danaus gilippus
3,160 observations
Lotus Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
3,107 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
3,053 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 59,823 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)