Photo by Thomas Emmel

The Schaus swallowtail butterfly is among Biscayne's most celebrated insects.

The most abundant animals in Biscayne National Park are the insects, the most dreaded being the mosquito. There are also many dragonflies, butterflies, including the endangered Schaus' swallowtail, tree hoppers, golden orb spiders, and thousands of others that make the islands their home. The horseshoe crab is included here because it is not a true crab. Rather, it is more closely related to spiders.

The following list includes insects which have been documented in the park. Here they have been sorted alphabetically by common name. The list is not exhaustive, and documented sightings of species not on this list are welcome. Submit your sightings to the webmaster.

Bahama Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio andraemon bonhotei
Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae
Orange Julia, Dryas iulia
Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly, Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus
Zebra Longwing, Helicorius charitonius