Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 5129430

Eastern Comma

Polygonia comma

Also known as Hop Merchant

Eastern Comma butterflies spend winter as tucked-away adults inside tree hollows or bark crevices, emerging on the earliest warm days of spring before wildflowers even bloom. They display two distinct seasonal forms: a dark summer form with largely black hindwings and a bright orange winter form featuring silvery comma marks on the underside. Caterpillars feed on nettles and hops, often concealing themselves during the day inside protective leaf tents tied with silk.

WoodlandCamouflagedOverwintering
Eastern Comma reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Tree sap
  • Rotting fruit
  • Stinging nettles
Predators
  • Songbirds
  • Spiders
  • Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsPesticide application and clearing of native host plant patches
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, river valleys, forest margins, and damp parks
Life spanUp to 10 months
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyNymphalidae
  3. GenusPolygonia
  4. SpeciesPolygonia comma
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Look Near Sap Runs: Search around wounded trees, overripe fallen fruit, or damp soil where adults gather to feed.
  • Check Leaf Tents: Inspect stinging nettle leaves folded over with silk to spot resting caterpillars during the day.
  • Observe Quietly: Approach slowly on sunny early spring mornings when adults bask on logs or gravel trails to absorb warmth.
Related species
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Mystic Meadows

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