The weakfish (Cynoscion genus) was designated the official state fish of Delaware in 1981 in recognition of its recreational and economic contributions to the state of Delaware and its value as a game and food fish. All State Fish
Delaware designated American holly (Ilex opaca Aiton) as the official state tree in 1939. All State Trees
Also called Christmas holly or evergreen holly, American holly is regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees. The tree has dark, thorny-leaved foliage and red berries. In Delaware, the tree can reach 60 feet in height and a trunk diameter of 20 inches.
Delaware designated the peach blossom as the official state flower symbol in 1895 because of Delaware's reputation as "The Peach State" (at that time, Delaware orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees). All State Flowers
Delaware also adopted peach pie as the official state dessert in 2009.
Delaware recognized sillimanite as the official state mineral in 1977. All State Minerals
Sillimanite is widespread in the metamorphic rocks of the Delaware Piedmont and large masses of sillimanite can be found as stream-rounded boulders at the Brandywine Springs State Park. These mineral boulders are remarkable for their size and purity. Delaware sillimanite has a fibrous wood-like texture and could potentially be cut into non-faceted gems showing a "cat's eye" effect.
The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) was designated as the official state marine animal of Delaware June 25, 2002 (Delaware also recognizes another marine-life symbol; a state shell). All State Fish & Aquatic Life
Delaware adopted the stonefly (order Plecoptera) as the official state macroinvertebrate May 4, 2005. Delaware is the first state to designate a "macroinvertebrate" symbol (Delaware also recognizes two other insect symbols: a state bug and a state butterfly). All State Insects
The state flag of Delaware was adopted in 1913. All State Flags
The colonial blue and buff represent the colors of General George Washington's uniform. "December 7, 1787" is the day Delaware ratified the federal Constitution - becoming the first state of the union.
The ladybug was adopted as the official state bug of Delaware April 25, 1974 thanks to an intensive effort made by Mrs. Mollie Brown-Rust and her 2nd grade students of Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware. Children love ladybugs; they are also a state symbol of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. All State Insects
The brilliant tiger swallowtail butterfly (Pterourus glaucus) was designated the official state butterfly of Delaware June 10,1999. The tiger swallowtail butterfly is indigenous to Delaware and can be seen in deciduous woods, along streams, rivers, wooded swamps, and in towns and cities throughout the state. Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia also recognize the tiger swallowtail butterfly as a state symbol. All State Insects
Delaware designated the grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) as the official state wildlife animal in 2010 (also spelled gray fox) in recognition of Delaware’s wildlife heritage and commitment to environmental protection and species preservation. All State Mammals