Great Southern White (Ascia monuste) is in the Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs family (Pieridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 8,690 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
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 Great Southern White: observations by month (U.S.)
About Great Southern White
Ascia monuste, the great southern white or pirpinto in Argentina, is a butterfly which is the only species in the genus Ascia of the family Pieridae. In this species the sexes may differ with the female being either light or dark colored. It is found from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, and south through tropical America to Argentina. It is migratory along the southeastern coast of the United States, with strays to...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Great Southern White by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 4,508 | April | Feb–May |
| Texas | 3,825 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Georgia | 139 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Arizona | 110 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Louisiana | 70 | April | Apr–Jun |
| South Carolina | 23 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Mississippi | 10 | September | Sep–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs)
Small White
Orange Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Sleepy Orange
Checkered White
Dainty Sulphur
Little Yellow
Clouded Sulphur
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 Great Southern White?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from February to June.
Where is Great Southern White most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Texas, Georgia.