Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,428 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
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 Northern Checkerspot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Northern Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla, the northern checkerspot, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family that is found in North America. They range from southern British Columbia to Alberta, south to California, Utah, and Colorado, excluding Nevada.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Northern Checkerspot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,859 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Oregon | 676 | June | May–Jul |
| Idaho | 290 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Colorado | 249 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 123 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 89 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 56 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Wyoming | 56 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Nevada | 30 | June | May–Jun |
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 Northern Checkerspot?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to July.
Where is Northern Checkerspot most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Idaho.