Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Comma is a fascinating butterfly. The scalloped edges and cryptic colouring of the wings conceal hibernating adults amongst dead leaves, while the larvae, flecked with brown and white markings, bear close resemblance to bird droppings.
The species has a flexible life cycle, which allows it to capitalize on favourable weather conditions. However, the most remarkable feature of the Comma has been its severe decline in the twentieth century and subsequent comeback. It is now widespread in southern Britain and its range is expanding northwards.
Size and Family
Family: Nymphalids
Size: Medium
Wing Span Range (male to female): 55-60mm
Conservation Status
Butterfly Conservation priority: Low
European status: Not threatened
Caterpillar Foodplants
The most widely used foodplant is Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Other species used include Hop (Humulus lupulus), elms (Ulmus spp.), currants (Ribes spp.), and Willows (Salix spp).
Habitat
Open woodland and wood edges are the main breeding and hibernating habitats.
Prior to hibernation individuals range more widely in the search for nectar and rotting fruit and are often seen in gardens and many other habitats.
Distribution
Countries: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Widespread in England and Wales, rare in southern Scotland and Northern Ireland
This butterfly is very similar to the question mark – in fact, it's very nearly the same, except that instead of a question mark it has a silvery comma on its underside. It's the smaller of the two "punctuation" butterflies, and is also somewhat more common. When this butterfly lands on dead leaves or in the middle of a gravel road, its camouflage make it almost impossible to find. The glittery comma marking only adds to the confusion, since it looks like a drop of water on a leaf.
The Basics:
What is the scientific name? Polygonia c-album
What does it eat? The caterpillar feeds on elms, pussy-willow, gooseberry, and many other plants
Will it seriously damage plants or trees? No
Is it rare? No, it is a very common species
Where does it occur? Throughout the eastern US, with similar species in the West
Can you raise it from caterpillar to adult? Yes, if you give it plenty of leaves the food plant.
#butterfly #butterflies #commabutterfly #insects
The Comma is a fascinating butterfly. The scalloped edges and cryptic colouring of the wings conceal hibernating adults amongst dead leaves, while the larvae, flecked with brown and white markings, bear close resemblance to bird droppings.
The species has a flexible life cycle, which allows it to capitalize on favourable weather conditions. However, the most remarkable feature of the Comma has been its severe decline in the twentieth century and subsequent comeback. It is now widespread in southern Britain and its range is expanding northwards.
Size and Family
Family: Nymphalids
Size: Medium
Wing Span Range (male to female): 55-60mm
Conservation Status
Butterfly Conservation priority: Low
European status: Not threatened
Caterpillar Foodplants
The most widely used foodplant is Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Other species used include Hop (Humulus lupulus), elms (Ulmus spp.), currants (Ribes spp.), and Willows (Salix spp).
Habitat
Open woodland and wood edges are the main breeding and hibernating habitats.
Prior to hibernation individuals range more widely in the search for nectar and rotting fruit and are often seen in gardens and many other habitats.
Distribution
Countries: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Widespread in England and Wales, rare in southern Scotland and Northern Ireland
This butterfly is very similar to the question mark – in fact, it's very nearly the same, except that instead of a question mark it has a silvery comma on its underside. It's the smaller of the two "punctuation" butterflies, and is also somewhat more common. When this butterfly lands on dead leaves or in the middle of a gravel road, its camouflage make it almost impossible to find. The glittery comma marking only adds to the confusion, since it looks like a drop of water on a leaf.
The Basics:
What is the scientific name? Polygonia c-album
What does it eat? The caterpillar feeds on elms, pussy-willow, gooseberry, and many other plants
Will it seriously damage plants or trees? No
Is it rare? No, it is a very common species
Where does it occur? Throughout the eastern US, with similar species in the West
Can you raise it from caterpillar to adult? Yes, if you give it plenty of leaves the food plant.
#butterfly #butterflies #commabutterfly #insects
