Interactive Butterfly CD
Butterflies of the
Carolinas & Virginias

Eastern Comma,
Polygonia comma

"Orange" form, worn without tails
Complete slide view slide # 10420

"Black " form
Complete slide view slide # 10412

Size: Wingspan is 1 3/4 to 2 inches.

Similar Species: Question Mark, Green Comma, Gray Comma

Habitat: Woodlands, roadsides and adjacent open areas. More restricted to woodlands than the Question Mark

Abundance: Fairly common in most of the state. Less common in coastal regions

Flight Period: All year as it over winters as an adult. Found only in winter during warming spells.

Comments: Eastern Comma are very skittish and hard to approach as well as very fast fliers. Getting close enough for a photo can be challenging.

All of these photos were taken in my yard during August 2000 in Orange County, NC. My sap tree and rotten fruit tamed these Eastern Comma down enough to allow these photos. This species can be quite variable and hard at times to tell between Eastern Comma. and Question Mark. Notice the shape of a comma in the middle of the hindwing seen from the side.

"Black " form
Complete slide view slide # 10414

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