The Complete List of Every Official US State Insect Symbol (With Pictures!)

Nearly every state of the United States has at least one official state insect symbol. Iowa and Michigan are the only two states without one. Meanwhile, many states have named multiple insect symbols. In addition, these states often have both an official “state insect” or “state bug” and a separate category such as “state butterfly” or “state agricultural insect.

The most common state insect symbol by far is the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), chosen by 19 different states. As its name suggests, this species is not native to North America. Rather, Europeans first introduced it in the 16th century. Still, many states consider it an important agricultural insect.

Multiple states share several other popular insect symbols as well. However, there are some unique choices too! Check out the complete list below, along with images and facts about each.

Alabama: Monarch Butterfly (State Insect)

Alabama named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state insect in 1989.

Alabama: Queen Honey Bee (State Agricultural Insect)

Alabama also named the queen honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state agricultural insect in 2005. While many states choose the honey bee as a state symbol, Alabama is the only state to specify the queen.

Alabama: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly and Mascot)

Alabama also named the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) as both its official state butterfly and mascot in 1989.

Alaska: Four-Spotted Skimmer (State Insect)

Alaska named the four-spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) as its official state insect in 1995.

Arizona: Two-Tailed Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

Arizona named the two-tailed swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) as its official state butterfly in 2001.

Arkansas: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Arkansas named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1973.

Arkansas: Diana Fritillary (State Butterfly)

However, Arkansas also named the Diana fritillary (Speyeria diana) as its official state butterfly in 2007.

California: California Dogface Butterfly (State Butterfly)

California named the California dogface butterfly (Zerene eurydice) as its official state butterfly in 1972. In doing so, it became the first state with an insect symbol.

Colorado: Colorado Hairstreak (State Insect)

Colorado named the Colorado hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus) as its official state insect in 1996.

Connecticut: European Mantis (State Insect)

Connecticut named the European mantis (Mantis religiosa) as its official state insect in 1977.

Delaware: Seven-Spotted Ladybug (State Bug)

Delaware named the seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) as its official state bug in 1974.

Delaware: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

Delaware also named the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) as its official state butterfly in 1999.

Delaware: Stonefly (State Macroinvertebrate)

Delaware also named the stonefly (Order Plecoptera) as its official state macroinvertebrate in 2005.

Florida: Zebra Longwing (State Insect)

Florida named the Zebra longwing (Heliconius charitonius) as its official state butterfly in 1996.

Georgia: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Georgia named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1975.

Georgia: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

Georgia also named the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) as its official state butterfly in 1988.

Hawaii: Kamehameha Butterfly (State Insect)

Hawaii named the Kamehameha butterfly (Vanessa tameamea) as its official state insect in 2009.

Idaho: Monarch Butterfly (State Insect)

Idaho named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state insect in 1992.

Illinois: Monarch Butterfly (State Insect)

Illinois named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state insect in 1975.

Indiana: Say’s Firefly (State Insect)

Indiana named Say’s Firefly (Pyractomena angulata) as its official state insect in 2018.

Kansas: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Kansas named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1976.

Kentucky: European Honey Bee (State Agricultural Insect)

Kentucky named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state agricultural insect in 2010.

Kentucky: Viceroy (State Butterfly)

Kentucky also named the viceroy (Limenitis archippus) as its official state butterfly in 1990.

Louisiana: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Louisiana named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1977.

Louisiana: Gulf Fritillary (State Butterfly)

Louisiana also named the Gulf fritillary (Dione vanillae) as its official state butterfly in 2022.

Maine: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Maine named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1975.

Maine: Pink-Edged Sulphur (State Butterfly)

Maine also named the pink-edged sulphur (Colias interior) as its official state butterfly in 2023.

Maryland: Baltimore Checkerspot (State Insect)

Maryland named the Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) as its official state insect in 1973.

Massachusetts: Ladybug (State Insect)

Massachusetts named the ladybug (Family Coccinellidae) as its official state insect in 1974.

Minnesota: Monarch Butterfly (State Butterfly)

Minnesota named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state butterfly in 2000.

Minnesota: Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (State Bee)

Minnesota also named the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) as its official state bee in 2019.

Mississippi: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Mississippi named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1980.

Mississippi: Spicebush Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

Mississippi also named the spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) as its official state butterfly in 1991.

Missouri: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Missouri named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1985.

Montana: Mourning Cloak (State Butterfly)

Montana named the mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) as its official state butterfly in 2001.

Nebraska: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Nebraska named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1975.

Nevada: Vivid Dancer (State Insect)

Nevada named the vivid dancer (Argia vivida) as its official state insect in 2009.

New Hampshire: Seven-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)

New Hampshire named the seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) as its official state insect in 1977.

New Hampshire: Karner Blue (State Butterfly)

New Hampshire also named the karner blue butterfly (Plebejus samuelis) as its official state butterfly in 1992.

New Jersey: European Honey Bee (State Bug)

New Jersey named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state bug in 1974.

New Jersey: Black Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

New Jersey also named the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) as its official state butterfly in 2014.

New Mexico: Tarantula Hawk Wasp

New Mexico named the tarantula hawk wasp (Pepsis grossa) as its official state insect in 1989.

New Mexico: Sandia Hairstreak (State Butterfly)

New Mexico also named the Sandia hairstreak (Callophrys mcfarlandi) as its official state butterfly in 2003.

New York: Nine-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)

New York named the nine-spotted ladybug (Coccinella novemnotata) as its official state insect in 1989.

North Carolina: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

North Carolina named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1973.

North Carolina: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

North Carolina also named the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) as its official state butterfly in 2012.

North Dakota: Convergent Lady Beetle (State Insect)

North Dakota named the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) as its official state insect in 2011.

Ohio: Ladybug (State Insect)

Ohio named the ladybug (Family Coccinellidae) as its official state insect in 1975.

Oklahoma: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Oklahoma named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1992.

Oklahoma: Black Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

Oklahoma also named the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) as its official state butterfly in 1996.

Oregon: Oregon Swallowtail (State Insect)

Oregon named the Oregon swallowtail (Papilio oregonius) as its official state insect in 1979.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Firefly (State Insect)

Pennsylvania named the Pennsylvania firefly (Photuris pennsylvanica) as its official state insect in 1974.

Rhode Island: American Burying Beetle

Rhode Island named the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) as its official state insect in 2015.

South Carolina: Carolina Mantis

South Carolina named the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) as its official state insect in 1988.

South Dakota: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

South Dakota named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) its official state insect in 1978.

Tennesee: Firefly (State Insect)

Tennessee named the firefly (Family Lampyridae) as one of its two official state insects in 1975.

Tennessee: Seven-Spotted Ladybug (State Insect)

Tennessee named the seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) as one of its two official state insects in 1975.

Tennessee: European Honey Bee (State Agricultural Insect)

Tennessee also named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state agricultural insect in 1990.

Tennessee: Zebra Swallowtail (State Butterfly)

Tennessee also named the zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) as its official state butterfly in 1995.

Texas: Monarch Butterfly (Insect)

Texas named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state insect in 1995.

Utah: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Utah named the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1983.

Vermont: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Vermont named the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1978.

Vermont: Monarch Butterfly (State Butterfly)

Vermont also named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state butterfly in 1987.

Virginia: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (State Insect)

Virginia named the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) as its official state insect in 1991.

Washington: Green Darner (State Insect)

Washington named the green darner (Anax junius) as its official state insect in 1997.

West Virginia: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

West Virginia named the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 2002.

West Virginia: Monarch Butterfly (State Butterfly)

West Virginia also named the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as its official state butterfly in 1995.

Wisconsin: European Honey Bee (State Insect)

Wisconsin named the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) as its official state insect in 1977.

Wyoming: Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak (State Insect)

Wyoming named Sheridan’s green hairstreak (Callophrys sheridanii) as its official state insect in 2009.

Summary of the Complete List of Every Official US State Insect Symbol (With Pictures!)

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Inventori