Species Insects & ArthropodsGreen Comma

Green Comma

Polygonia faunus

UncommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)

The Green Comma is a northern comma butterfly with ragged, angular wing edges and a row of green-yellow submarginal spots on the hindwing underside that distinguish it from other commas. It overwinters as an adult in boreal forests. Adults emerge on warm late-winter days and perch on snowbanks to thermoregulate. Its camouflaged underside closely resembles bark.

Habitat
Boreal forests, woodland clearings, and mountain forests
Diet
Larvae: birch, willow, and alder. Adults: tree sap and rotting fruit
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Green Comma

The best time to see a Green Comma is May–August, when about 72% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,438 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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