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Monarch
Danaus plexippus
66,463 observations
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
27,852 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
27,585 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
24,190 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
24,186 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
21,800 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
21,190 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
19,171 observations
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
18,871 observations
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
17,733 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
17,092 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
17,060 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
16,805 observations
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
15,188 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
14,615 observations
California Sister
Adelpha californica
14,439 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
12,209 observations
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
11,820 observations
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
11,055 observations
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
11,028 observations
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
10,716 observations
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
9,870 observations
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
9,475 observations
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
8,937 observations
Western Giant Swallowtail
Heraclides rumiko
8,704 observations
Western Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium exilis
7,893 observations
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
7,742 observations
Echo Azure
Celastrina echo
7,635 observations
Behr's Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti
6,853 observations
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides
6,831 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
6,830 observations
Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
6,677 observations
Mournful Duskywing
Erynnis tristis
6,560 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
6,428 observations
Common Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius communis
5,766 observations
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
5,502 observations
Sara Orangetip
Anthocharis sara
5,265 observations
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
4,973 observations
Carolina Sphinx
Manduca sexta
4,912 observations
Funereal Duskywing
Erynnis funeralis
4,382 observations
Ceanothus Silk Moth
Hyalophora euryalus
3,900 observations
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
3,825 observations
California Oak Moth
Phryganidia californica
3,751 observations
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta
3,639 observations
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta
3,559 observations
Omnivorous Looper
Sabulodes aegrotata
3,519 observations
Queen
Danaus gilippus
3,427 observations
Propertius Duskywing
Erynnis propertius
3,401 observations
Genista Broom Moth
Uresiphita reversalis
3,388 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
3,308 observations
Frequently Asked Questions
- The 10 most common butterflies and moths in California are:
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
- Gray Buckeye (Junonia grisea)
- Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
- Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
- White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata)
- Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)
- Small White (Pieris rapae)
- Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
- Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
- Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
- The most observed butterflies and moth in California is Monarch (Danaus plexippus), with 66,463 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)