Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma (Harris, 1842)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Small 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).
Life History: Males perch on leaves or tree trunks to watch for females, flying aggressively to chase other insects or even birds. Eggs are laid singly or in stacks under host plant leaves or stems. Caterpillars are usually solitary and feed on leaves at night. Older caterpillars make daytime shelters by pulling leaf edges together with silk. Winter form adults hibernate, some first migrating to the south.
Flight: Overwintered adults fly and lay eggs in the spring until the end of April. The summer form emerges and flies from May-September, laying eggs that develop into the winter form. These adults appear in September or October and soon seek shelter in which to o
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.
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.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 361 - 384 of 5867 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 02, 2021
Submitted by: Eric Hartshaw
Region: Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Aug 19, 2021
Observation date: Aug 07, 2021
Submitted by: Rekittke
Region: St. Charles County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Aug 07, 2021
Observation date: Jul 26, 2021
Submitted by: S_Gucciardo
Region: Washington County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Jul 29, 2021
Observation date: Jul 24, 2021
Submitted by: Jeff Trahan
Region: Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jul 27, 2021
Observation date: Jul 26, 2021
Submitted by: mtobin11
Region: Lake County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jul 25, 2017
Submitted by: bshettler
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jun 25, 2013
Submitted by: bshettler
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jul 23, 2021
Submitted by: jmgesell
Region: Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Jul 24, 2021
Observation date: Jul 20, 2021
Submitted by: Sharons_Shotz
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 21, 2021
Observation date: Sep 20, 2018
Submitted by: cindybrown
Region: Washington County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 21, 2021
Observation date: Jul 19, 2021
Submitted by: RStankiewicz
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 20, 2021
Observation date: Jul 10, 2021
Submitted by: Mayaich17
Region: Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jul 11, 2021
Observation date: Jul 03, 2021
Submitted by: storolaf
Region: Day County, South Dakota, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 11, 2021
Observation date: Jul 03, 2021
Submitted by: sam_hartzler
Region: Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: Howell_Curtis
Verified date: Jul 08, 2021
Observation date: Jun 26, 2021
Submitted by: MJ6001
Region: St. Clair County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jun 28, 2021
Observation date: Jun 25, 2021
Submitted by: rapids
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jun 25, 2021
Observation date: May 30, 2021
Submitted by: Mapper
Region: Union County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 18, 2021
Observation date: Jun 17, 2021
Submitted by: HansPG
Region: Cook County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 18, 2021
Observation date: Jun 10, 2021
Submitted by: mtobin11
Region: Lake County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 18, 2021
Observation date: Jun 12, 2021
Submitted by: MarkSCitsay
Region: Washington County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 16, 2021
Observation date: May 15, 2021
Submitted by: CaraLundquist
Region: Denton County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 03, 2021
Observation date: May 29, 2021
Submitted by: Ssneed
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: May 30, 2021
Observation date: May 19, 2021
Submitted by: David.Josephy
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: May 21, 2021
Observation date: May 16, 2021
Submitted by: rapids
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: May 17, 2021
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