Eastern Comma
Common NameEastern Comma
Scientific NamePolygonia comma
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, black, brown
HabitatWoodlands, forest edges, parks, suburban gardens
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to the Great Plains
Host Plantshackberry, elm, nettle, false nettle
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesAdults overwinter, emerging in early spring to lay eggs. Caterpillars are spiny and variable in color, feeding on host plants before pupating into a chrysalis that also resembles a dead leaf or twig.
Identification TipsLook for the highly irregular, 'ragged' wing edges and the small, silvery, C-shaped mark (the 'comma') on the underside of the hindwing. The cryptic underside is also a key feature.
Description
This medium-sized butterfly has distinctively jagged wing margins, with an upperside that is predominantly orange with black spots and a dark border. The underside is mottled brown, resembling a dead leaf, providing excellent camouflage.
