Species › Insects & Arthropods › Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Polygonia comma

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)

The Eastern Comma is named for a small, curved silver comma mark on the underside of its hindwing. Its ragged, angular wing edges provide excellent camouflage as dead leaves when the butterfly is at rest. Adults overwinter and are active on warm winter and early spring days, feeding on tree sap and fermenting fruit.

Habitat
Moist woodlands, stream edges, and wooded parks
Diet
Larvae: nettles, hops, and elms. Adults: tree sap, rotting fruit, and dung
How common
Common

Best time to see a Eastern Comma

The best time to see a Eastern Comma is March–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 26,025 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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