Jun 7, 2026
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Photo attribution
(c) Noland Aull, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Bugs Guide
Bugs Guide for Kentucky
Forests, caves, rivers, and rolling hills
Bug highlights, common sightings, and the best places to look for bugs in Kentucky. Use the highlight list to start quickly, then work through the full guide for a broader local view.
Sightings
144
Species
65
Active Months
12
Category Overview
Bugs across Kentucky
This guide focuses on butterflies, bees, beetles, and other small species within Kentucky's wider region guide, making local walks, gardens, and close-up exploring feel richer.
Latest Sightings
Recent insect sightings in Kentucky
A recent look at insect sightings across Kentucky.
Jun 5, 2026
i
Photo attribution
(c) Anne H. Proffitt, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 30, 2026
i
Photo attribution
(c) Anne H. Proffitt, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 28, 2026
i
Photo attribution
(c) Anne H. Proffitt, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 6, 2026
i
Photo attribution
(c) Anna Hess, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 6, 2026
i
Photo attribution
(c) Anna Hess, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Sightings Map
See where insect sightings cluster
Start wide, then zoom in to see where insect sightings cluster across Kentucky.
Loading map…
Top Highlights
Top 5 bugs to look for in Kentucky
These bugs are snapped the most across this region.
Asian Lady Beetle
14 snaps
Bee
12 snaps
Monarch Butterfly
9 snaps
Great Spangled Fritillary
7 snaps
Hackberry Emperor
7 snaps
Places to Start
Best places for bugs in Kentucky
These place guides connect well with the bugs covered in this region.
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
University of Kentucky Arboretum
You might spot Bold Jumping Spider, Eastern Gray Squirrel, and Monarch.
View place guide →
Park65 sightings8 species
Kentucky, US
Cherokee Park
You might spot Great Waterleaf, Lesser Celandine, and White-Tailed Deer.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Lexington Cemetery
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Monarch, and American Robin.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Audubon Park
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel and American Pokeweed.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Kentucky Horse Park
You might spot Bird's-Eye Speedwell and Barn Swallow.
View place guide →
Zoo30 sightings12 species
Indiana, US
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden
You might spot Tree-Of-Heaven, Box Elder, and Smooth Sumac.
View place guide →
Full Guide
Full Kentucky bugs list
The complete ranked list for this guide, ordered by sightings count.
114 snaps212 snaps39 snaps47 snaps57 snaps65 snaps74 snaps83 snaps93 snaps103 snaps113 snaps123 snaps133 snaps143 snaps152 snaps162 snaps172 snaps182 snaps192 snaps202 snaps212 snaps222 snaps232 snaps242 snaps252 snaps262 snaps272 snaps282 snaps291 snaps301 snaps311 snaps321 snaps331 snaps341 snaps351 snaps361 snaps371 snaps381 snaps391 snaps401 snaps411 snaps421 snaps431 snaps441 snaps451 snaps461 snaps471 snaps481 snaps491 snaps501 snaps511 snaps521 snaps531 snaps541 snaps551 snaps561 snaps571 snaps581 snaps591 snaps601 snaps611 snaps621 snaps631 snaps641 snaps651 snaps
Asian Lady Beetle
Bee
Monarch Butterfly
Great Spangled Fritillary
Hackberry Emperor
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Luna Moth
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee
Checkered White
Chinese Mantis
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Ebony Jewelwing
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Bold Jumping Spider
Clouded Sulphur
Common Picture-winged Fly
Common Rough Woodlouse
Common Whitetail
Eight-spotted Forester Moth
Fragile Forktail
Giant Leopard Moth
Polyphemus Moth
Silver-spotted Skipper
Small Milkweed Bug
Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Tan Jumping Spider
White-dotted Prominent
Admiral Butterfly
American Nursery Web Spider
Blue-tipped Dancer
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown-belted Bumble Bee
Carolina Mantis
Cecropia Moth
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Common Pill Woodlouse
Dark Fishing Spider
Dobsonfly
Dragonhunter
Firefly
Great Black Digger Wasp
Gulf Fritillary
Horned Passalid
Juniper Hairstreak
Juvenal's Duskywing
Large Maple Spanworm Moth
Margined Calligrapher
Margined Leatherwing Beetle
Mourning Cloak
Narrow-winged Tree Cricket
North American Wheel Bug
Odorous House Ant
Orange Sulphur
Orchard Orbweaver
Pandorus Sphinx
Red Admiral
Red Milkweed Beetle
Sculptured Resin Bee
Slaty Skimmer
Spotted Lanternfly
Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle
Tulip-tree Beauty
Two-Lined Spittlebug
Yellow Garden Spider
Other Guides
Keep exploring Kentucky
Switch from bugs to birds and flowers for a broader view of Kentucky's wildlife and nature.
