Gray Buckeye (Junonia grisea) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 30,694 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 Gray Buckeye: observations by month (U.S.)
About Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea, the gray buckeye or grey buckeye, is a species in the butterfly family Nymphalidae. It is found in North America, west of the Rocky Mountains. Like the common buckeye, the gray buckeye is a brown butterfly with eyespots on its wings that distract predators from its body.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Gray Buckeye by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 27,584 | June | Apr–Oct |
| Arizona | 2,204 | May | Mar–Aug |
| New Mexico | 328 | October | May–Oct |
| Oregon | 206 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Utah | 166 | October | May–Nov |
| Nevada | 134 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Colorado | 58 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Texas | 8 | July | Jul–Jul |
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 Gray Buckeye?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to October.
Where is Gray Buckeye most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, New Mexico.