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Eastern Comma Butterfly

Polygonia comma

Photo by KenCheeks
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Small butterfly with short hindwing projections. Forewing above is brownish-orange with dark spots; one dark spot at center of bottom edge. Hindwing above has two patterns: summer form is mostly black, winter form is orange with black spots; both have a dark border containing pale spots. Underside is brown; hindwing with a central silver or white comma which is swollen at both ends. Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.4 cm).

Habitat:

Habitat: Deciduous woodlands; woods near rivers, marshes, swamps, and other water sources. Range: Eastern half of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to central Texas and the Gulf Coast. This one was photographed at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center near Jackson, SC.

Notes:

Caterpillar Hosts: All members of the elm and nettle families including American elm (Ulmus americana), hops (Humulus), nettle (Urtica), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), and wood nettle (Laportea canadensis). Adult Food: Rotting fruit and tree sap.

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