The thing with insects is that they are found in nearly every habitat on Earth and literally in every country around the world. Another great fact about insects is that there could be as many as 5 million species, but humans have been able to name and describe only about 1 million insect species so far. Talking about India, though, it is believed that there are 60,000+ insect species found on the subcontinent. Today, though, we aren’t after every single insect species out there, nah, instead, we’ll be talking about only the Top 10 Most Common Insects In India. So, let’s just get to it right away.
1. Ants
At the top of the list and for good reason are ants, you know, tiny but kinda indestructible. Like, it is 100% true that you could be in a posh apartment in Bengaluru or a remote village in Assam, and you’d still see a long trail of these workers going about their business; that’s literally how common they are in India. As of 2025 though, with over 700 species of ants in India, two that stand out are the black crazy ant and the carpenter ant. These insects are especially attracted to sugar, crumbs, and even moist wood, just saying! According to the Zoological Survey of India, ants are one of the most widely distributed insects in the country, and the numbers speak for themselves.
2. Mosquitoes
Coming in at number two and probably in your ear at night, too, are mosquitoes. Whether it’s the Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, or Culex quinquefasciatus, these flying insects are found everywhere in India during the monsoon season, and to be honest, they’re super annoying at times. Or maybe ALWAYS! They breed in still water, you know, flower pots, buckets, open drains, and are notorious for spreading diseases like dengue and malaria. Rentokil PCI, one of the top pest control services in India, continues to list mosquitoes as one of the most reported pest problems year after year.
3. Houseflies
If you live in India, we don’t even need to tell you how common THESE are, right? Musca Domestica is the scientific name for these ubiquitous insects. They show up at markets, food stalls, and homes because they’ll eat just about anything: leftovers, open garbage, you just name it. That’s what makes them so common. And that’s also what makes them a health hazard in crowded areas. They carry bacteria and viruses from one surface to another.
4. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a fixture in any top insect list in India. They take the fourth spot here. You see the German cockroach and the American cockroach most often in urban areas. Usually though, those pests love warmth, moisture, and darkness, you know, like kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and drains. They’re nocturnal, which is why you often see them when the lights go out. That adaptability of theirs is what makes them so hard to get rid of, according to Rentokil PCI. And that’s why they’re often at the top of lists of the most difficult household pests to eliminate.
5. Termites
Termites may be small, oh, but the damage isn’t. Ranking 5th on the list is the Indian white termite (Odontotermes obesus), which is the most common in the country. For those who have never heard of them, well, these insects build their nests in soil and silently chew through wood, furniture, and even books. In tropical and humid regions, termite infestations are more frequent, and once they settle in, they can cause significant damage before you even notice.
6. Butterflies
Butterflies may not seem like your typical “common” insect but they’re everywhere in India’s open spaces, you know like, from home gardens to mountain trails. Species like the Plain Tiger and Common Crow butterfly are the easiest to spot. At present, with India having over 1500 butterfly species, according to the Zoological Survey of India, well, that’s what made us add them to this list of the most common insects.
7. Bees
Coming in at number 7 are bees, you know, nature’s original pollinators. The Indian honey bee (Apis cerana indica) is one of the most common species, especially near farmlands, gardens, and forest edges. These bees not only help in the pollination of crops like mustard and sunflower but also contribute to India’s honey industry, which is a huge thing. They’re just super adaptable too; like no matter in the wild or managed habitats, they sure know how to survive well.
8. Wasps
Next up are wasps, and yes, they do sting, but they also play a role. A role? An important one? You see, the Indian paper wasp (Ropalidia marginata) is the most common one and you’ll find their nests under roofs, balconies, or tree branches. Unlike bees, they’re predators and hunt smaller insects, which helps keep other pest populations in check. A lot of people out there just fear these insects, and that’s pretty understandable, but still, these are a part of India’s insect population.
9. Crickets
You’ve probably heard a cricket before you’ve seen one, and we can say THAT for sure. The house cricket (Acheta domesticus) is the one most people are familiar with, especially in the evenings when they start chirping. Like, usually, they hide in grassy areas, gardens, or dark corners of homes, and their chirping is a background score in rural and suburban areas. Right here in the country, though, their presence is strong in farming regions and forested zones.
10. Grasshoppers
Taking the tenth spot are grasshoppers, you know, specifically the short-horned grasshoppers from the Acrididae family, like the Hieroglyphus banian species. They’re found in farmlands and open grassy area,s and their ability to jump long distances makes them hard to miss. They feed on crops like rice, wheat, and maize, and although not as feared as locusts, their numbers can be a problem for farmers during the growing season.
Conclusion
There you have it. These are by far the most common insects found in India, and if you’re an Indian citizen, chances are you have seen almost all of these common insects, and maybe some you see literally every day. Right? Well, that’s how common some of these insects are right here in India.
