Western White (Pontia occidentalis) is in the Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs family (Pieridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,961 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 Western White: observations by month (U.S.)
About Western White
Pontia occidentalis, the western white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found in Western North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Western White by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 531 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Washington | 269 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Montana | 244 | August | Jul–Sep |
| California | 237 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Idaho | 212 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Colorado | 147 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Wyoming | 89 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Utah | 59 | June | May–Sep |
| North Dakota | 48 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Minnesota | 37 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Nevada | 35 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Nebraska | 17 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Alaska | 14 | August | Jun–Aug |
| South Dakota | 13 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 6 | August | Aug–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs)
Small White
Orange Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Sleepy Orange
Checkered White
Dainty Sulphur
Little Yellow
Clouded Sulphur
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 Western White?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Western White most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington, Montana.