Species: Comma (Polygonia c-album hutchinsoni)
Family: Fritillaries, Nymphalids and Browns (NYMPHALIDAE)
Category: Butterflies & Moths
Location: NW
A. Butterflies & Moths
B. Fritillaries, Nymphalids and Browns (NYMPHALIDAE)
This is a large family containing many of our most colourful and familiar butterflies. Many are strong fliers, with a flapping flight interspersed with glides and swoops. The Fritillaries are predominantly orange with dark markings, and the Browns largely brown, but the Nymphalids have a range of colours.
C. Comma (Polygonia c-album hutchinsoni)
The Comma's rapid flight is interspersed with twisting glides, and the males are aggressive defenders of territory, making it seem as though their ragged outline is the aftermath of fights. Single eggs are laid on the undersides of hop or Common Nettle leaves, or sometimes on currant or elm suckers. The dark, spiny caterpillars have orange markings along the sides. It is resident, and hibernates, most emerging in March and April, but may be seen on the wing at any time of the year.
Images
Comma
The comma butterfly lays single eggs on the undersides of hop or nettle leaves, or sometimes on currant or elm suckers. This individual was seen on one of the first sunny days in March 2022.
Comma
The Comma is resident, and hibernates, most emerging in March and April, but may be seen on the wing at any time of the year.
Comma
The wings of this individual were possibly damaged in a heavy rainstorm at the beginning of August. Even so, the distinctive outline of this Comma butterfly's wings can still be seen clearly.
