Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,885 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 Melissa Blue: observations by month (U.S.)
About Melissa Blue
The Melissa blue (Plebejus melissa) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in western North America, from Canada to Mexico. The Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) is a subspecies of the Melissa blue, and was described by the novelist/lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Melissa Blue by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 811 | July | May–Sep |
| California | 499 | June | May–Sep |
| South Dakota | 356 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Utah | 311 | June | May–Sep |
| North Dakota | 285 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Nebraska | 233 | June | May–Sep |
| Arizona | 202 | June | May–Sep |
| New Mexico | 169 | July | May–Sep |
| Washington | 168 | June | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 145 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Montana | 143 | August | May–Sep |
| Nevada | 141 | June | May–Aug |
| Oregon | 127 | July | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 113 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Iowa | 69 | July | May–Sep |
| Minnesota | 59 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Kansas | 39 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Missouri | 6 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Texas | 6 | July | Jul–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Gray Hairstreak
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Red-banded Hairstreak
Marine Blue
Ceraunus Blue
Summer Azure
Western Pygmy-Blue
Reakirt's Blue
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 Melissa Blue?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to September.
Where is Melissa Blue most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, California, South Dakota.