Interactive Butterfly CD
Butterflies of the
Carolinas & Virginias

Gray Comma,
Polygonia progne

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

Similar Species:
Eastern Comma
Green Comma

Habitat:

Abundance: Very rare in NC as it`s mainly a northern species. Usually found above 4000 foot in the northern mountains.

Flight Period:

Comments: The Gray Comma top and bottom was found on a gravel road along a steep slope at around 1600 foot in Rockbridge County, VA. The center photo was found in a dogbane patch at 2500 foot in Bedford County, VA totally out of character for a Gray Comma.

So far I`ve found Gray Comma in 4 locations all with in 10 miles of each other in Virginia. The elevations were from 1400 foot to 3500 foot making me think that the availability of the host plant (currents) actually determines where this species would be found. I presume the right conditions in the Carolinas are at higher elevations than in the Virginia mountains.

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