Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus) is in the Skippers family (Hesperiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,119 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Dreamy Duskywing: observations by month (U.S.)
About Dreamy Duskywing
Erynnis icelus, the dreamy duskywing or aspen dusky wing, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in boreal North America, from the Northwest Territories east across southern Canada to Nova Scotia, south in the western mountains to southern Arizona and southern New Mexico, south in the east to Arkansas, north-eastern Alabama and northern Georgia.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Dreamy Duskywing by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 159 | June | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 156 | May | Apr–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 145 | June | May–Jun |
| Oregon | 143 | June | May–Jun |
| Colorado | 117 | June | May–Jul |
| North Carolina | 116 | April | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 109 | May | Apr–May |
| Vermont | 102 | May | May–Jun |
| Washington | 101 | June | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 92 | June | May–Jun |
| New York | 92 | May | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 79 | May | May–May |
| Maine | 73 | June | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 70 | May | May–Jun |
| Idaho | 67 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 66 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 65 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 54 | May | May–Jun |
| California | 50 | June | May–Jun |
| New Mexico | 42 | June | May–Jun |
| Utah | 36 | June | May–Jul |
| Arizona | 32 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 32 | April | Apr–May |
| Montana | 30 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wyoming | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Arkansas | 11 | May | May–May |
| Georgia | 10 | April | Apr–May |
| South Dakota | 10 | May | May–Jul |
| Oklahoma | 9 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Connecticut | 8 | May | May–Jun |
| Nevada | 7 | May | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 7 | May | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 6 | April | Apr–Jul |
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 Dreamy Duskywing?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Dreamy Duskywing most often seen?
The most observations come from Minnesota, Maryland, New Hampshire.