Common Checkered-Skipper (Burnsius communis) is in the Skippers family (Hesperiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 22,340 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.
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 Common Checkered-Skipper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius communis, the common checkered-skipper, formerly known as Pyrgus communis, is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is known as the frequently seen Pyrginae species in the northern United States by collectors and watchers alike.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Checkered-Skipper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,573 | October | Jun–Oct |
| Colorado | 2,380 | August | Jun–Oct |
| Ohio | 1,685 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Virginia | 1,224 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Texas | 1,076 | October | Aug–Nov |
| North Carolina | 1,005 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Michigan | 929 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Maryland | 760 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Oklahoma | 585 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 577 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Oregon | 549 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Arkansas | 505 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Kansas | 489 | October | Apr–Oct |
| Tennessee | 461 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Missouri | 450 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Idaho | 422 | September | Apr–Oct |
| Utah | 383 | July | May–Oct |
| Nebraska | 381 | June | May–Oct |
| Washington | 307 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Kentucky | 258 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Indiana | 222 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Illinois | 197 | October | Jun–Oct |
| New Jersey | 194 | October | Aug–Oct |
| South Dakota | 194 | August | Jun–Oct |
| Minnesota | 149 | September | Jun–Oct |
| Alabama | 134 | October | Oct–Nov |
| New York | 133 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Montana | 131 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 118 | August | May–Oct |
| Nevada | 114 | July | Jul–Sep |
| North Dakota | 113 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Georgia | 84 | October | Aug–Oct |
| New Mexico | 83 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Iowa | 82 | July | Jun–Oct |
| Arizona | 80 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Delaware | 73 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Wisconsin | 58 | October | Jul–Oct |
| West Virginia | 44 | October | Aug–Oct |
| District of Columbia | 41 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Mississippi | 31 | October | Oct–Nov |
| South Carolina | 25 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Louisiana | 23 | October | Aug–Oct |
| Florida | 7 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 5 | September | Sep–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Skippers)
Fiery Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper
Huron Skipper
Zabulon Skipper
Peck's Skipper
Horace's Duskywing
Clouded Skipper
Long-tailed Skipper
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 Common Checkered-Skipper?
Nationally, October has the most observations, with the main season from June to October.
Where is Common Checkered-Skipper most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Colorado, Ohio.