Small Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis oetus) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,479 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
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 Small Wood-Nymph: observations by month (U.S.)
About Small Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis oetus, the small wood-nymph or dark wood-nymph, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in western North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Small Wood-Nymph by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 611 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Wyoming | 442 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Montana | 259 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Oregon | 224 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Idaho | 216 | July | Jul–Aug |
| New Mexico | 159 | July | Jul–Aug |
| California | 155 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 152 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Utah | 147 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Arizona | 64 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Nevada | 44 | 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 Small Wood-Nymph?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from July to August.
Where is Small Wood-Nymph most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Wyoming, Montana.