Polygonia comma
Size:
Wingspan is
1 3/4 - 2 inches.
Similar Species:
Question Mark
Gray Comma
(rare)
Green Comma (very rare)
Habitat:
Woodlands, roadsides, stream banks, orchards and adjacent open areas.
Range/Abundance:
Common in most of
the region. Uncommon in the coastal plain areas and higher elevations
in the mountains.
Flight Period:
All year in the region as it overwinters as an adult. In winter, found
during warming spells. Two broods which are most active during spring
and fall.
Larval Host Plants:
Elm Ulmus spp., hackberry Celtis spp., False Nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica and nettles Urtica spp.
Comments:
Eastern Commas are very fast fliers, they tend to keep territories that
they defend often with attacks to anyone or anything that passes. Afterward
they return to the same perch most of the time.
Eastern Commas will readily visit dung, tree sap and rotting fruit. Often
found at fruit trees when rotten fruits are present. They also visit compost
piles, puddles and fruit used for bait like melon rinds, rotten apples,
peaches or pears.
There are two forms of Eastern Comma: fall (orange) form and summer (black) form. See photos at right.
The top photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on October 02, 2001. The center photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on October 01, 2001. The bottom photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on May 15, 2000.
