Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,628 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 Northern Crescent: observations by month (U.S.)
About Northern Crescent
Phyciodes cocyta, the northern crescent, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found in the Nearctic realm.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Northern Crescent by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 662 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Minnesota | 512 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 512 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Colorado | 297 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 248 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Idaho | 217 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 190 | June | May–Aug |
| Vermont | 187 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 148 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 108 | June | May–Jun |
| Washington | 89 | June | Jun–Jul |
| South Dakota | 65 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Mexico | 54 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 51 | July | May–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | July | May–Sep |
| New Hampshire | 48 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Ohio | 46 | September | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 27 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 25 | July | Jul–Jul |
| North Dakota | 18 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Maryland | 12 | May | May–Jun |
| Oregon | 12 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 9 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 8 | July | May–Aug |
| Virginia | 8 | October | Aug–Oct |
| North Carolina | 7 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New Jersey | 6 | July | Jul–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 Northern Crescent?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Northern Crescent most often seen?
The most observations come from Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin.