Margined White (Pieris marginalis) is in the Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs family (Pieridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,428 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
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 Margined White: observations by month (U.S.)
About Margined White
Pieris marginalis (margined white) is a butterfly found in the Yukon, Western Canada and the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is very similar to the species Pieris oleracea.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Margined White by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,589 | March | Feb–May |
| Washington | 802 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Oregon | 703 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Colorado | 469 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Alaska | 263 | June | May–Jul |
| Wyoming | 162 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Mexico | 161 | July | May–Aug |
| Montana | 108 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Idaho | 97 | August | May–Aug |
| Utah | 60 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Arizona | 12 | June | Jun–Jul |
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 Margined White?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from February to August.
Where is Margined White most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.