Lorquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 18,311 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 Lorquin's Admiral: observations by month (U.S.)
About Lorquin's Admiral
Lorquin's admiral (Limenitis lorquini) is a butterfly in the Nymphalinae subfamily. The butterfly is named after Pierre Joseph Michel Lorquin, a French naturalist who came to California from France during the Gold Rush, and made important discoveries on the natural history of the terrain.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Lorquin's Admiral by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10,970 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Washington | 3,024 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Oregon | 2,896 | June | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 792 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 474 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 153 | June | Jun–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 Lorquin's Admiral?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to September.
Where is Lorquin's Admiral most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.