Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier) is in the Skippers family (Hesperiidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,284 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
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 Swarthy Skipper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Swarthy Skipper
...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Swarthy Skipper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 495 | September | Jun–Oct |
| Maryland | 280 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Ohio | 256 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Virginia | 189 | August | Jun–Aug |
| North Carolina | 135 | August | May–Sep |
| Georgia | 119 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 106 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Arkansas | 103 | July | Apr–Sep |
| New Jersey | 97 | August | Aug–Aug |
| South Carolina | 95 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Louisiana | 74 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Mississippi | 54 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Tennessee | 54 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Texas | 48 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Kentucky | 33 | July | Jul–Aug |
| New York | 32 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Missouri | 26 | May | May–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 23 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Alabama | 22 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Connecticut | 20 | August | Aug–Sep |
| West Virginia | 9 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Delaware | 8 | August | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Skippers)
Fiery Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper
Huron Skipper
Zabulon Skipper
Peck's Skipper
Horace's Duskywing
Clouded Skipper
Long-tailed Skipper
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 Swarthy Skipper?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Swarthy Skipper most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Maryland, Ohio.