A small orange butterfly with deeply scalloped wings and a comma-shaped silver mark on the hindwing underside. Like its cousin the question mark, adults overwinter under bark.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Polygonia comma, the eastern comma, is a North American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Nymphalinae.
Source: Wikipedia — Polygonia comma Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Olive-green above, white below; bold yellow eye ring (the "spectacles"); white wing bars.
Similar species. Solitary Vireo (different range). Red-eyed Vireo (no spectacles).
Voice. Loud "spring-of-the-year" song from canopy.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, especially caterpillars and beetles.
Behavior. Lives in mature pine forests. Distinctive yellow spectacles. Population declining with mature pine loss.
§ Range
Eastern North America
§ Habitat
Wooded areas, especially with hops, nettles, and elms
§ Threats
Forest loss, host plant decline, pesticide use.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern comma is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant elm, hops, and nettles in protected corners. Maintain bark habitat. Skip pesticides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Polygonia comma
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Polygonia comma
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22705207
- iNaturalist · taxon 12953
- eBird · whevir
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Polygonia comma
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
