About InsectLibrary
InsectLibrary is a comprehensive insect and arthropod species directory containing 53,537 species across 89 orders and 1,240 families.
Our directory brings together imported taxonomy and natural-history records. Photographic credits are displayed where available, and guides include references for further reading.
Sources and editorial responsibility
Published by the InsectLibrary Team. Guides identify their subject and cite supporting references. Directory records are imported and vary in completeness; a record is not automatically an independently verified identification.
Read our editorial policy, source limitations and correction process →
Directory Coverage
- Species
- 53,537
- Orders
- 89
- Families
- 1,240
- With Descriptions
- 18,312
- With Images
- 50,214
What InsectLibrary is for
InsectLibrary connects everyday questions about bugs with species names and the wider groups they belong to. You can start with an animal you noticed at home, a scientific name on a label, or a group you want to learn about. The aim is to make the next useful reference easier to find.
The directory includes insects and other arthropods, including spiders. The word “bug” is used informally in our family content; the classification on a profile gives the more specific group.
Three ways to explore
Find a name
Use species search when you have a common or scientific name. Compare the classification and available details on the matching profiles.
Follow a question
Our identification guides organize practical topics around recognizable groups. Read their scope, compare features, and follow related species links.
How to read a species profile
Start with the scientific name and classification. Where available, the facts section brings together size, colors, habitat, seasonal activity, and geographic range. Identification tables organize source descriptions without turning them into new measurements or claims.
A recorded characteristic may be a brief source term rather than a diagnostic feature. Missing information means it is not available in the record. Wider-group background is labeled separately so that a fact about an order is not mistaken for a fact about every species.
For curious households and young learners
Our two-ebook bundle pairs a household bug guide with Little Bug Explorers, a children’s activity book for ages 5–8 with adult supervision. The books offer a way to continue learning away from the website through reading, observation, coloring, and activities.
The bundle contains digital PDFs. Purchases and downloads are handled through Gumroad. Review the book previews, usage terms, and refund policy before buying.
What the directory can and cannot tell you
Directory totals reflect the records collected here, not all known species or the wildlife present in a particular place. Coverage differs between groups and regions. A photograph, common name, or short description may suggest a comparison without establishing an identification.
We do not present every profile as independently reviewed by a specialist. The editorial policy explains the distinction between reference guides, imported records, and supporting evidence.
Help improve a record
Found an incorrect name, missing detail, or image problem? Send the page URL, the exact item that needs attention, and a reference that supports your correction through the publisher contact on our Gumroad page. For an observation, include the location and date if you are comfortable sharing them, but avoid precise private addresses.
For ebook access problems, reply to your purchase receipt with the order reference. Our Privacy Policy explains how support information is handled.