Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 6,651 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Empress Leilia: observations by month (U.S.)
About Empress Leilia
Asterocampa leilia, the Empress Leilia, Leilia hackberry butterfly or desert hackberry, is a species of butterfly in the Nymphalidae family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Empress Leilia by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3,893 | October | Jul–Nov |
| Texas | 2,727 | November | Sep–Dec |
| New Mexico | 30 | October | Oct–Oct |
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 Empress Leilia?
Nationally, October has the most observations, with the main season from July to November.
Where is Empress Leilia most often seen?
The most observations come from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico.