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 289 - 312 of 1021 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 11, 2018
Submitted by: Laura Baker
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 11, 2018
Observation date: Jul 29, 2018
Submitted by: Brush_lady
Region: Umatilla County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 31, 2018
Observation date: Jul 18, 2018
Submitted by: RedAdmiral
Region: Humboldt County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 21, 2018
Observation date: Jul 17, 2018
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 19, 2018
Observation date: May 31, 2018
Submitted by: Tim Shortell
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 05, 2018
Observation date: Jun 07, 2018
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2018
Observation date: May 21, 2018
Submitted by: eddysfo
Region: Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 26, 2018
Observation date: Aug 15, 2017
Submitted by: rgreimel
Region: Fremont County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Jun 19, 2018
Observation date: Jun 12, 2018
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Douglas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 14, 2018
Observation date: Jun 06, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 07, 2018
Observation date: Jun 06, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 07, 2018
Observation date: May 19, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 20, 2018
Observation date: May 13, 2018
Submitted by: Sue Carnahan
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: May 19, 2018
Observation date: May 14, 2018
Submitted by: Gary Westhoven
Region: Flathead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 18, 2018
Observation date: May 15, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Thompson 2524
Region: Ravalli County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 18, 2018
Observation date: May 03, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Thompson 2524
Region: Ravalli County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 14, 2018
Observation date: May 02, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 09, 2018
Observation date: May 02, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 09, 2018
Observation date: May 04, 2018
Submitted by: jdmouse86
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 04, 2018
Observation date: May 03, 2018
Submitted by: RichHubie
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 04, 2018
Observation date: Apr 23, 2018
Submitted by: Varn
Region: Jefferson County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 04, 2018
Observation date: Apr 22, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 30, 2018
Observation date: Mar 29, 2018
Submitted by: Linda Fink
Region: Yamhill County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 29, 2018
Observation date: Mar 19, 2018
Submitted by: Sammy Catiis
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 21, 2018
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