# Comma Butterfly (*Polygonia c-album*) The Comma Butterfly has a unique shape and dark orange wings with a white comma mark. It loves to hide among the leaves! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and gardens - **Also known as:** Comma ![Comma Butterfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425997/objects/5479.jpg) ## Appearance The Comma Butterfly has uniquely ragged-edged wings, making them appear torn, and a mottled brown underside resembling dead leaves for camouflage. Its upper wings are a vibrant orange with dark spots, and a prominent white 'C' mark is visible on the underside of each hindwing. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Polygonia ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars have spiny bodies and mottled patterns, making them look like bird droppings! - Its name comes from the white 'C' shape on its hindwing underside, like a tiny punctuation mark! - The Comma Butterfly has two different seasonal forms, one for summer and one for winter! - Unlike many butterflies, adults also enjoy tree sap and rotting fruit, not just flower nectar! ## Special abilities - **Leaf Disguise:** Comma Butterfly has wings with jagged edges and a mottled underside that helps them perfectly blend in with dead leaves, hiding from predators. - **Winter Sleeper:** Comma Butterfly can survive cold winters as an adult, finding shelter in tree crevices or sheds, allowing them to emerge early in spring. - **Quick Cycle:** Comma Butterfly can complete its entire life cycle from egg to adult in just a few weeks, allowing for multiple generations each year. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 18-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-270 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip nectar, tree sap, and juicy rotting fruits! - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat plant leaves; adults drink nectar, tree sap, and fermenting fruit. - **Primary Foods:** Nettle leaves, Elm leaves, Currant leaves, Flower nectar, Tree sap, Rotting fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves. - **Depends on:** [Field Elm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-elm) (*Ulmus minor*) — Caterpillars also munch on elm leaves. - **Depends on:** Redcurrant (*Ribes rubrum*) — The caterpillars can also be found on currant bushes. - **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Bird species often prey on butterfly larvae. - **Eaten by:** [European Hornet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hornet) (*Vespa crabro*) — Hornets hunt caterpillars and adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Comma Butterfly? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Comma Butterfly's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Comma Butterfly? 18-25 mm ### How long does Comma Butterfly live? 60-270 days ### How fast can Comma Butterfly fly? 15 km/h ### What does Comma Butterfly eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip nectar, tree sap, and juicy rotting fruits! ### Where is Comma Butterfly usually found? Woodlands and gardens ### How does Comma Butterfly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Tierpark Berlin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Zoo - [Whipsnade Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/whipsnade-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo [View all places to see Comma Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/comma-butterfly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Comma Butterfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/comma-butterfly)