Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus) is in the Skippers family (Hesperiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 6,483 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
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 Sootywing: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Sootywing
Pholisora catullus, the common sootywing or roadside rambler, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found from the central parts of the United States, south to central Mexico. Strays may colonize up to southern British Columbia, northern Michigan, southern Quebec and southern Maine. It is not found on peninsular Florida.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Sootywing by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,099 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Illinois | 511 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Arizona | 496 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Ohio | 338 | August | Jul–Aug |
| New York | 323 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maryland | 286 | August | Jun–Aug |
| New Mexico | 276 | August | May–Aug |
| Kansas | 255 | August | May–Sep |
| Colorado | 252 | June | May–Aug |
| Nebraska | 237 | July | May–Aug |
| California | 216 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 197 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 196 | August | Jul–Aug |
| North Carolina | 158 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Virginia | 128 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Missouri | 120 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Iowa | 109 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Michigan | 108 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 108 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Tennessee | 96 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Kentucky | 95 | August | Jul–Aug |
| New Jersey | 93 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Indiana | 92 | August | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 78 | May | May–Aug |
| Connecticut | 77 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 67 | July | Jul–Aug |
| South Dakota | 60 | August | May–Aug |
| Alabama | 43 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Washington | 38 | May | May–May |
| Arkansas | 35 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Oregon | 34 | May | May–Jul |
| Minnesota | 33 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Utah | 30 | July | May–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 29 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Vermont | 27 | July | Jun–Aug |
| District of Columbia | 23 | August | Jun–Sep |
| North Dakota | 23 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Wyoming | 20 | July | May–Aug |
| Delaware | 18 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Montana | 15 | June | May–Aug |
| Georgia | 12 | May | May–May |
| Nevada | 11 | May | May–Jul |
| South Carolina | 10 | July | Jun–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 Sootywing?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from May to August.
Where is Common Sootywing most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Illinois, Arizona.