Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is in the Brush-footed Butterflies family (Nymphalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 37,175 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 Viceroy: observations by month (U.S.)
About Viceroy
The viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a North American butterfly that ranges through most of the contiguous United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. The westernmost portion of its range extends from the Northwest Territories along the eastern edges of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada mountains, southwards into central Mexico. Its easternmost range extends along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America from Nova Scotia into Texas.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Viceroy by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 4,545 | October | Apr–Oct |
| Ohio | 4,051 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Florida | 2,860 | September | Mar–Nov |
| Illinois | 2,305 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Michigan | 1,645 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Vermont | 1,496 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New York | 1,448 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 1,347 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Louisiana | 1,192 | September | May–Oct |
| Minnesota | 1,183 | August | Jun–Sep |
| North Carolina | 1,076 | September | Jun–Oct |
| Missouri | 949 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 877 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Virginia | 869 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Tennessee | 767 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Indiana | 752 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 749 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Georgia | 708 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 707 | September | Jun–Sep |
| Alabama | 637 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Maryland | 626 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Arkansas | 625 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Kansas | 581 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Maine | 520 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Colorado | 458 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Jersey | 444 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Mississippi | 410 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Iowa | 390 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Hampshire | 390 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Kentucky | 335 | September | Jul–Sep |
| South Carolina | 310 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Connecticut | 295 | September | Jun–Sep |
| Nebraska | 257 | September | Jun–Sep |
| Idaho | 246 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Washington | 147 | August | Jul–Sep |
| West Virginia | 133 | September | Jun–Sep |
| South Dakota | 126 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Mexico | 123 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Montana | 105 | July | Jul–Aug |
| North Dakota | 97 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Delaware | 80 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Oregon | 75 | August | May–Sep |
| Utah | 67 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Rhode Island | 58 | July | Jun–Sep |
| District of Columbia | 49 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Arizona | 45 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Wyoming | 17 | August | Aug–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 Viceroy?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Viceroy most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Ohio, Florida.