The gray comma has a wingspan between 1 5/8 and 2 inches. Their eggs then hatch, grow as caterpillars, pupate, and emerge at new winter-form adults in October. The butterfly gets its name from the only white marking on its underside, which resembles a comma. Member of Family: Nymphalidae. North Gower, ON 2012/03/22. These mate and lay eggs, which hatch into caterpillars and become the summer-form adults. The scales, whether muted or colorful, seem dusty if they rub off on your fingers. This butterfly is very similar to the more numerous Eastern Comma, and care should be taken to distinguish the two. Gray comma butterfly (Polygonia progne) Great Basin fritillary butterfly (Speyeria egleis) Great spangled fritillary butterfly (Speyeria cybele) Green comma butterfly (Polygonia faunus) Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) Hackberry emperor butterfly (Asterocampa celtis) Hoary comma butterfly … Gray Comma is among the "Switchers;" butterfly species which have been known to adopt non-native host plants (Table 3). Dark/Summer form - Pelham, ON 2013/06/26. Gray Comma Butterfly. In a folded position, their wings are brown and black, resembling the colors of a dead leaf. However, it would enter hibernation if the stage coincides with the winter. Adult: Like its close relatives, the eastern comma (P. comma) and question mark (P. interrogationis), the gray comma has an orange and black dorsal (top) side of the wings. Similar species: If you can see the underside hindwing, question marks have a dot next to the curved white marking, and eastern commas have blunt ends on the white comma. The pupa has a shelled-groundnut-like shape and color, with fine velvety protrusions all over the body. Note the missing end of the comma. Tie Mill Rd., Florence Co., WI. state_status: SR - S1: fed_status: G5: synonym: other_name: Gray Anglewing: edit_done: page_num: 76: sort_order: 76.0 The dot nearest the trailing edge of the upper wing usually does not have any faint spot above it. the gray comma typically rests with wings closed, with only the camouflaged gray undersides showing. That was never more apparent than yesterday (July 1) when Jonathan Nikkila (hooray – you get pictures), my wife Jen and I went to Fontenelle Forest, Kinter’s Ford SWMA, Four Mile Creek SWMA and Table Rock SWMA. The numbers and abundance of individuals of these species varies from year to year. These living jewels have tiny, overlapping scales that cover their wings like shingles. | Milbert's Tortoiseshell. Members of this family have the first pair of legs small, brushlike, and held against the body, so they perch and walk only with their back two pairs of legs, making them appear four-legged. The scalloped edges and cryptic colouring of the wings conceal hibernating adults amongst dead leaves, while the larvae, flecked with brown and white markings, bear close resemblance to bird droppings. Polygonia c-album, the comma, is a food generalist (polyphagous) butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae.The angular notches on the edges of the forewings are characteristic of the genus Polygonia, which is why species in the genus are commonly referred to as anglewing butterflies. If you love butterflies, there are many ways to increase your enjoyment. Prev Next 788 views Julie Reid June 19, 2015 Cambridge, ON Date shot: June 18, 2015. Gray Comma, Eastern Comma, and Question Mark are informally called "anglewings," referring to the irregular wing margins. Underside is gray-brown; outer half much lighter, frosted white or silver-gray. If a predator or other enemy approaches, they wave both ends of their bodies from side to side. The gray comma is more local in occurrence than either the eastern comma or the question mark. It takes around 7-10 days to emerge into a butterfly. You can also rear the caterpillars, join butterfly organizations, or participate in “citizen science” programs. Gray Hairstreak Chrysalis cdn.butterflyatlas.org. https://wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterfly/species/85-gray-comma Pale/Winter from - Nepean, ON 2011/04/27. Gray Comma Polygonia progne: Genus Polygonia Subfamily True Brushfoots Family Brushfooted Butterflies All Massachusetts Species: ... Massachusetts Butterfly Atlas Website: More info: Butterflies of Massachusetts Website: Photo by Erik Nielsen - 8/18/2002 Pittsburg, NH : Top of Page. With Green and Eastern Commas, the comma marks on the females sometimes lack the barbs on the ends, leading people to mis-identify them as Gray Commas. Average Wingspan: 2.2-2.4 inches. Comma butterflies are a small genera of brushfoots found primarily in wooded areas of the United States. The Gray Comma may be told from all the other anglewings by its grayish underwing color and tapered, L shaped, unbarbed "comma" mark on the hindwing beneath. It is typically found in woodland areas, especially along creeks and on brushy slopes. Lest anyone be confused the “Big Year” is not a solo effort. Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 inches (3.9 - 5.7 cm). Location: Black Forest Tr, PA. Photo by Betty Steil. Compton Tortoiseshell. The species has a flexible life cycle, which allows it to capitalize on favourable weather conditions. The small white “comma” mark on the hindwing is L-shaped and narrows to a fine point at each end. They feed primarily on tree sap in the early spring. Note also that the forewing has a dark outer edge with several black chevrons in it. Choose your favorite comma butterfly designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! Mourning Cloak. Other possible host plants include Rhododendron nudiflorum (pinxter flower), occasionally birch, and dubiously elm (Scott, 1986). The Eastern Comma is very similar above. This marking is often used as the key identifying characteristic. ... Gray Comma (Polygonia progne) << Previous. The Gray Comma and the Eastern Comma are both found throughout the state in open woodlands and along roadsides through wooded areas. Since the adults overwinter, these are some of the earliest spring butterflies, taking wing at the first few warm days, about mid-March here, near Chicago. Eastern Comma. Comma butterflies can be identified by their prominent orange and dark brown/black dorsal wings. Next >> Crysler, ON 2014/08/23. © 2021 Breeding resident found in local colonies across the state. The underside of the Gray Comma is charcoal gray with fine dark striations; forewing with 3-4 light arrows in a dark border. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. There is a small, silver L-shaped or comma-shaped mark in the center of the hindwing. Nov 23, 2016 - Butterflies that Live in California with Designs and Sayings . about. Butterflies, skippers, and moths belong to an insect order called the Lepidoptera — the "scale-winged" insects. Viewed from above, the dark border of gray commas varies by season: in summer, the border is quite wide, but the winter form has it narrower, covering only about a fourth of the wing. The Eastern Comma, in common with other "anglewings", has pronounced indentations along the wing margins. Gray Hairstreak Butterfly Chrysalis static1.1.sqspcdn.com. | Beneath, the color is charcoal gray and finely streaked with dark lines. Wingspan: 1 3/4-2". The border is lined with a few small yellow spots. [The photo above is] a female Satyr comma I saw this spring. Shop for comma butterfly art from the world's greatest living artists. Pale/Winter from - Nepean, ON 2011/04/27. Like the Eastern Comma, the Gray Comma has two seasonal forms, with the summer form being much darker on the hindwing. July 6, 2006. Many butterflies and moths are associated with particular types of food plants, which their caterpillars must eat in order to survive. Butterfly gardening, watching, and photography are rewarding avocations. Common throughout the state, but probably more common in the northern counties. These individuals will hibernate. Butterflies, in their different life stages, have many ways of avoiding predators. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui): A small ( 2" max) migratory brushfoot butterfly. They seem particularly fond of the semi-open Hawthorne grove at the western edge of the woods, where I have reliably found them every year for four years now. When they perch on tree bark, they are virtually invisible. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. contact Adults fly spring through fall, and overwintering adults may emerge from their resting places and fly around on warm winter days. Therefore, they might show up in residential areas with wooded areas that host those types of trees. If you can find wounded trees dripping sap, you'll find both gray and eastern commas as … Below, the silvery comma is very thin and is pointed at both ends. The two “commas,” however, lack the question mark’s hyphen-like line over the three black forewing spots. This shows you’ve definitely progressed beyond a “beginner” level in butterfly identification. The Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network engages citizen scientists in the process of collecting quantitative data on butterfly populations. Eggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. More than 700 species in North America north of Mexico, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants, The 3 black forewing spots lack a black line above, Hindwing “comma” marking is L-shaped with tapered ends, “Comma” mark also lacks the additional dot of the question mark, Much grayer beneath than the eastern comma or question mark. But here are extra clues: the eastern comma can be slightly larger, and its wings are less noticeably streaked. When not actively feeding , the caterpillars rest on the undersides of leaves or on leaf stems. Caterpillars are yellowish brown with dark markings. This species is in a butterfly family called the brush-footed butterflies. It has a wingspan of up to 50mm with jagged edges to both fore and hindwings. To see where this butterfly has been reported, visit: The Ontario Butterfly Atlas Online. The Eastern Comma usually has a dark spot in the middle of the hindwing that is not present in the Gray Comma. Gray Comma (Polygonia progne) is a beautiful anglewing species of deciduous woodland habitats in eastern North America. Dirt logging roads and camp sites in deciduous woods are good places to look for Gray Commas. Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching and arson. July 14, 2003. When resting with wings closed this butterfly has excellent camouflage, the jagged outline of the wings giving the appearance of a withered leaf, making the butterfly inconspicuous when resting on a tree trunk or when hibernating. As the artist Georgia O’Keeffe said about flowers, “Nobody sees a flower — really — it is so small it takes time — we haven’t time — and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.”. The Gray Comma is a medium-sized butterfly with a bright orange and brown on the top of the wings and a darker border on the hind wing. Gray Comma does not seem to be a common butterfly in the Chicago area. The larvae of many species feed on leaves from trees in both the elm and willow families. Dark/Summer form - Pelham, ON 2013/06/26. Next >> Crysler, ON 2014/08/23. Apparently this serves to deter predators. Many of these activities contribute to butterfly conservation, so they are things that you can feel good about. The spines are blackish. Member of Family: Nymphalidae. July 27, 2005. Seen from below, the hindwing "comma" marking of the gray comma (Polygonia progne) is L-shaped and narrows to a fine point at each end. Caterpillars eat native gooseberry species and are also reported on azaleas. Northern Kettle Moraine State Park, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Comma The Comma is a fascinating butterfly. Green Comma. The dorsal hindwing of the gray comma lacks the central dark smudge that is present on the eastern comma. Determined by a combination of upper hindwing black border wide with small yellow spots, underwing surfaces charcoal gray and heavily striated, silver-white "comma" on the under hindwing tapered at both ends. Two broods. As explained on the Eastern Comma page, we are retaining the common name as Gray Comma, as opposed to Gray Anglewing, as is used on the Butterflies of America website. It can be told from the Question Mark by its smaller size, more ragged wing outline, and "comma" on the underside of each hindwing; from the Gray Comma by the "comma" shape and by overall ventral coloration (see under Gray Comma). There is a white curve that looks like the punctuation comma, giving the butterfly its name. French common name: Polygone gris. Similar species: The gray comma (Polygonia progne) may be slightly smaller overall, but like the eastern comma, its three forewing spots are not topped by a black line. The dot nearest the trailing edge of the upper wing is usually nonexistent in the Gray Comma, very faint in the Eastern Comma, and dark and obvious in the Green Comma and the Satyr Comma. Next >> Crysler, ON 2014/08/23 ... French common name: Polygone gris. wisconsinbutterflies.org Gray Comma (Polygonia progne) << Previous. The forewing has a dark outer edge with some black chevrons in it. Above, this species is similar to the Eastern and Gray Commas, but has very jagged wing margins and is more boldly marked with black including an often prominent black dot just above the dot nearest the trailing edge of the upper wing, a dot that is lacking or faint in the Eastern Comma and Gray Comma. Hoary Comma. The Comma butterfly is a common British butterfly and one of the most easily identified species when seen settled. Posts about Gray Comma written by hpahaska. They feed on the undersides of leaves. | Winter-form adults overwinter in hibernation and emerge in springtime. Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists, and regional offices. Silver spot at center of hindwing is fishhook-shaped. French common name: Polygone gris. privacy policy These butterflies fly in June through August. Brushfoots (con't) Gray Comma (Polygonia progne): Similar to the Eastern Comma below but with more pronounced light spots along its … In the lighter, fall/spring form of the Gray Comma, there are usually only two noticeable dark spots. Above, the wings are orange with black margins and black dots, and a row of lighter spots in the margin of the hindwing. Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network. During hibernation, their yellow-brown coloration keeps them hidden among dead leaves, working as an effective defense mechanism. Adults may occasionally visit flowers, but they prefer tree sap and decaying fruit. As adults, the gray comma typically rests with wings closed, with only the camouflaged gray undersides showing. Open woodlands, woodland edges, and along roadsides and trails through wooded areas. Gray Comma is a woodland butterfly, found at Fermilab in the "Big Woods" (ELM-24) on the western part of the site. Males perch on shrubs near clearings and wait for females to fly near. Gray Comma (Polygonia progne) << Previous. Congratulations if you can tell the difference between a gray comma and eastern comma! All comma butterfly artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. When settled, with wings closed, the dark broken outline of the butterfly blends in cryptically with its surroundings making it very difficult to see. Holding on with only the middle pairs of prolegs, they bend the front half of their body to the side and lift the rear end into the air. Yellowstone S.P., Lafayette Co., WI. See more ideas about butterfly, beautiful butterflies, butterfly quotes. The Gray Comma over winters as an adult, breeds and has a new generation in June and early July, and then has a second generation in August and September that over winters. Horseshoe Bend Park, Hunterdon Co., NJ, 4/12/15. Two … Milbert's tortoiseshell is simply stunning, with a wide orange band of color … North Gower, ON 2012/03/22. Florida Museum of Natural History Gainesville, FL 32611 352-846-2000 (Exhibits) Horseshoe Bend Park, Hunterdon Co., NJ, 7/29/13. Gray Comma. The Eastern Comma has markings that look like a comma (,) on the underside of its hindwings. Satyr Comma. The “ Big year ” is not a solo effort it takes around 7-10 days to emerge into butterfly. 788 views Julie Reid June 19, 2015 trails through wooded areas that host those types of plants. The caterpillars rest on the Eastern comma are both found throughout the state but... 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