Satyr Comma
Polygonia satyrus (W.H. Edwards, 1869)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is bright yellow-orange; forewing with two black spots near center of bottom edge; hindwing lacks a dark border, has a black spot in center of wing. Underside is light and dark golden brown, median band relatively straight; hindwing with a silver comma in center.
Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4/5 - 6.4 cm).
Life History: In late afternoon, males perch on tree trunks and low vegetation in woodland openings to watch for females. Eggs are laid singly, in stacks, or in groups on the lower side of nettle leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and make a shelter by pulling down and fastening the edges of a leaf with silk. Adults hibernate.
Flight: Two to three flights on the Pacific Coast from February-November; two flights in Colorado, Nevada, and Saskatchewan from June-September; one flight in remainder of range from July-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various nettles (Urticaceae species).
Adult Food: Tree sap, rotting fruit, flower nectar including that from blackberry and almond.
Habitat: Valley bottoms, along streams, wooded prairie ravines, marshes, openings in riparian woods, fields and edges near moist woods.
Range: Southern Yukon and Northwest Territories south through western Canada and western United States to Baja California, southern Arizona, and southwest New Mexico; east across the Great Lakes states to northern New England and Nova Scotia.
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 1 - 24 of 1007 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 02, 2025
Submitted by: sandyleapt
Region: Benton County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 16, 2025
Observation date: Aug 02, 2025
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 01, 2025
Observation date: Aug 17, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2025
Observation date: Jul 09, 2025
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Boise County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Aug 06, 2025
Observation date: Aug 05, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 05, 2025
Observation date: Jul 27, 2025
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 28, 2025
Observation date: Jul 13, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2025
Observation date: Jul 06, 2025
Submitted by: Allison Barta
Region: Forest County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jul 10, 2025
Observation date: Jul 09, 2025
Submitted by: TaliahK
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Jul 09, 2025
Observation date: Jul 06, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 09, 2025
Observation date: Jun 19, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2025
Observation date: Jun 02, 2025
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 08, 2025
Observation date: May 24, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 31, 2025
Observation date: May 02, 2025
Submitted by: pgericks
Region: Snohomish County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 05, 2025
Observation date: Apr 24, 2025
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 26, 2025
Observation date: Apr 24, 2025
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 25, 2025
Observation date: Apr 23, 2025
Submitted by: Steve Koehler
Region: Clallam County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 24, 2025
Observation date: Apr 20, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 23, 2025
Observation date: Apr 16, 2025
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Island County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 20, 2025
Observation date: Apr 11, 2025
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 14, 2025
Observation date: Apr 04, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Lane County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 11, 2025
Observation date: Apr 05, 2025
Submitted by: Vickie J Anderson
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 06, 2025
Observation date: Jul 15, 2012
Submitted by: RobSimpson
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 17, 2025
Observation date: Jun 06, 2024
Submitted by: RobSimpson
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 17, 2025
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