Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 6,058 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Baltimore Checkerspot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Baltimore Checkerspot
The Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton”) is a North American butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It has been the official state insect of the U.S. State of Maryland since 1973.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Baltimore Checkerspot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,269 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 1,076 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 709 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 660 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Vermont | 559 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 357 | June | May–Jul |
| Ohio | 343 | June | May–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 222 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Minnesota | 192 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 120 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maryland | 119 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maine | 100 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 76 | June | Jun–Jul |
| West Virginia | 49 | June | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 40 | May | May–Jun |
| Rhode Island | 34 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 29 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Virginia | 22 | June | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 18 | June | May–Jul |
| Tennessee | 18 | May | Apr–May |
| North Carolina | 14 | May | May–May |
| Iowa | 11 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 8 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Common Buckeye
Red Admiral
Pearl Crescent
Painted Lady
American Lady
Variegated Fritillary
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Baltimore Checkerspot?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Baltimore Checkerspot most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Michigan, Massachusetts.