Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 14,021 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 Mylitta Crescent: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta, the Mylitta crescent or Mylitta crescentspot, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in western North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mylitta Crescent by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9,787 | June | May–Oct |
| Oregon | 1,818 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Washington | 658 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Idaho | 501 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Arizona | 372 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Utah | 313 | June | Apr–Sep |
| New Mexico | 304 | April | Mar–Oct |
| Nevada | 125 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Montana | 62 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Colorado | 46 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Nebraska | 23 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Texas | 5 | May | May–Jul |
| Wyoming | 5 | July | Jul–Sep |
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 Mylitta Crescent?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to October.
Where is Mylitta Crescent most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.