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Monarch
Danaus plexippus
61,933 observations
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
26,064 observations
Fiery Skipper
Hylephila phyleus
25,605 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
23,922 observations
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui
23,657 observations
Small White
Pieris rapae
20,170 observations
Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
19,653 observations
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
18,789 observations
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
17,411 observations
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
17,347 observations
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
16,494 observations
Umber Skipper
Lon melane
16,211 observations
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
15,381 observations
Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
14,553 observations
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
14,129 observations
California Sister
Adelpha californica
13,796 observations
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
11,650 observations
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
11,159 observations
Lorquin's Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
10,565 observations
West Coast Lady
Vanessa annabella
10,445 observations
California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
9,983 observations
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha california
9,301 observations
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
9,269 observations
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
8,726 observations
Echo Azure
Celastrina echo
7,534 observations
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
7,529 observations
Western Giant Swallowtail
Heraclides rumiko
7,456 observations
Western Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium exilis
7,235 observations
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
6,682 observations
Behr's Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti
6,578 observations
Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
6,506 observations
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides
6,412 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
6,115 observations
Mournful Duskywing
Erynnis tristis
5,914 observations
Sara Orangetip
Anthocharis sara
5,253 observations
Common Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius communis
5,093 observations
Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata
5,049 observations
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
4,952 observations
Carolina Sphinx
Manduca sexta
4,429 observations
Funereal Duskywing
Erynnis funeralis
4,092 observations
Ceanothus Silk Moth
Hyalophora euryalus
3,820 observations
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
3,725 observations
California Oak Moth
Phryganidia californica
3,690 observations
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta
3,477 observations
Propertius Duskywing
Erynnis propertius
3,374 observations
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta
3,309 observations
Omnivorous Looper
Sabulodes aegrotata
3,290 observations
Queen
Danaus gilippus
3,231 observations
Field Crescent
Phyciodes pulchella
3,141 observations
Lotus Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
3,122 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)
- 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 61,933 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)