Hoary Edge (Cecropterus lyciades) is in the Skippers family (Hesperiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,440 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 Edge: observations by month (U.S.)
About Hoary Edge
Cecropterus lyciades, the hoary edge, is a species of skipper in the family Hesperiidae which can be seen throughout the eastern United States in open woodlands, deciduous mixed forest and sandy areas. Cecropterus lyacides is an uncommon butterfly that is named after an underlying whitish patch on the hindwing patch.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Hoary Edge by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 456 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Arkansas | 350 | July | May–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 299 | July | Jul–Aug |
| North Carolina | 297 | July | May–Aug |
| Alabama | 269 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Tennessee | 264 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Texas | 260 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Missouri | 253 | August | May–Aug |
| Virginia | 168 | August | May–Aug |
| South Carolina | 146 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Louisiana | 102 | July | Jun–Sep |
| New York | 84 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Mississippi | 74 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Florida | 66 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Kentucky | 62 | May | May–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 51 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Ohio | 48 | May | May–Aug |
| Maryland | 43 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Illinois | 35 | May | May–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Jersey | 27 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Connecticut | 22 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 19 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Michigan | 12 | May | May–Jun |
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 Hoary Edge?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to August.
Where is Hoary Edge most often seen?
The most observations come from Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma.