Fauna Flora Photography

Eastern Comma Polygonia comma

Large butterfly endemic in eastern Canada and one of the first butterflies that can be spotted in the spring. Unlike other butterflies, this species doesn’t visit flowers. It feeds on tree sap and rotting fruits.

Specs

Weight0.1-0.2g

Common Names

GermanPolygonia Comma
EnglishEastern Comma
FrenchPolygone virgule
SpanishPolygonia Comma

Taxonomy

OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNymphalidae
SpeciesPolygonia comma

How to Identify

To identify this species check the three dots in a row on the forewings.

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) - Parc Angrignon - 2016-04-17

Where and When to Spot

I spot this species usually early spring (April) feeding on sap of trees or along creeks formed by melting snow and ice.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Parc Angrignon x - - -
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.