# Commas (*Polygonia*) The Comma butterfly has a unique shape and a beautiful orange color with dark spots. Its wings look like they have a little notch, which makes it special among butterflies! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Commas](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Polygonia_c-album_DePanne.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tim Bekaert, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polygonia_c-album_DePanne.jpg) ## Appearance The Commas butterfly has ragged-edged wings, giving it a torn look. Its upper wings are bright orange with black spots, while the undersides are a dull brown, perfectly mimicking a dead leaf. A distinctive white C-shaped mark is visible on its closed hindwings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Polygonia ## Interesting facts - Adult Commas prefer sipping tree sap and rotting fruit over flower nectar. - Some Comma butterflies live long enough to experience two different seasons! - The 'comma' mark on their wing can be a perfect C or broken into two parts! - Their caterpillars are spiky and brown, looking like bird droppings to scare off predators. ## Special abilities - **Season Changer:** Commas have different wing patterns for summer and winter generations, helping them adapt their camouflage to the changing seasons. - **Winter Sleeper:** Commas can hibernate as adults through the cold winter months because they store energy and find sheltered spots, helping them survive until spring. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 45-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-240 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Commas enjoy sipping tree sap and rotting fruit, while their spiky larvae munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae primarily eat the leaves of host plants, while adults feed on tree sap, rotting fruit, and occasionally flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, rotting fruit, nectar, elm leaves, nettle leaves, willow leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** English Elm (*Ulmus procera*) — Larvae feed on leaves. - **Eaten by:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — A common larval food plant. - **Eaten by:** White Willow (*Salix alba*) — Larvae consume its leaves. - **Hunts:** [Common Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blackbird) (*Turdus merula*) — Birds prey on larvae and adults. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch. Don't try to catch them; just enjoy their beauty! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Commas? 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 Commas's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Commas? 45-60 mm ### How long does Commas live? 30-240 days ### How fast can Commas fly? 15 km/h ### What does Commas eat? Adult Commas enjoy sipping tree sap and rotting fruit, while their spiky larvae munch on leaves. ### Where is Commas usually found? Forests ### How does Commas hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Commas: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/commas)