Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,871 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
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 Hoary Comma: observations by month (U.S.)
About Hoary Comma
The hoary comma (Polygonia gracilis) is a species of butterfly, common in boreal North America from Alaska, across southern Canada to New England and the Maritime Provinces and south to New Mexico from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The wings have a distinctive ragged edge.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Hoary Comma by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1,211 | July | Mar–Sep |
| California | 928 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Oregon | 727 | July | May–Sep |
| New Mexico | 429 | July | Mar–Aug |
| Washington | 425 | August | May–Sep |
| Montana | 240 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Utah | 222 | September | Apr–Sep |
| Idaho | 212 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 200 | August | May–Sep |
| Nevada | 129 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Arizona | 84 | July | May–Aug |
| Alaska | 38 | August | Aug–Aug |
| South Dakota | 11 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Nebraska | 9 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New Hampshire | 6 | August | Aug–Aug |
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 Hoary Comma?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is Hoary Comma most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, California, Oregon.