| British Butterflies: Species: Species Account - The Comma: |
Comma
Polygonia c-album (Linnaeus, 1758)
|
 |
|
|
|
Nomenclature
Insecta: Lepidoptera : Family Nymphalidae: Subfamily Nymphalinae : Genus Polygonia: Species c-album: |
 |
Description
Eggs are laid singly on the uppermost leaves and the caterpillars usually hatch after about 15 days. The favored foodplant in the past was Hops but a decline in village breweries has caused a move towards nettle (usually growing in shaded positions) as the favored foodplant although Elm is often used as well.
The larvae of the Comma are particularly attractive at close quarters although from a distance resemble a bird dropping.
Pupation almost always takes place on the foodplant.
Butterflies of the summer brood appearing around May/June are deep orange and are known as form hutchinsoni. Later broods and those overwintering as Adults are more usually deeper brown above while their underwing is either a beautiful mix of blues greys and browns or the more usual orange/brown. |
Habitat
The Comma is presently a relatively common butterfly but up until the 1940's the Comma was only regularly seen on the Welsh borders. |
Distribution
The Comma is a relatively common species in England an Wales becoming less common further north towards the edge of its range around northern England. It appears to be extending northwards probably as a result of global warming in recent years. The adult butterflies from the summer brood hibernate during the winter and it is these individuals which you will see on the wing in early spring (March/April) the following year.
It is a strong flyer and can travel long distances so may turn up anywhere where suitable nectar plants occur. |
Where to see the Comma in the British Isles
- |
Other notes
The Comma is a unique butterfly like no other found in the UK. With beautiful rich browns and reds of the upperside and the intricate patterning of the underwing the scalloped shaped wings and deep oranges and browns make this a true favorite of mine. |
Lifecycle chart
|
|
Flight chart
|
| The lifecycle and flight charts should be regarded as approximate guides to the Comma in Britain. Specific lifecycle states, adult emergence and peak flight times vary from year to year due to variations in weather conditions. |
| IUCN category status 2010 5 |
|
IUCN category status 2007 34 |
 --awaiting data--
5Fox, R., Warren, M., Brereton, T. M., Roy, D. B. & Robinson, A.
(2010) A new Red List of British Butterflies. Insect Conservation and Diversity.
|
|
 Least Concern
3Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4More information about IUCN categories. |
|
|
Wingspan
50-64mm |
|
UK status
Resident |
Larval foodplants
The larvae feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) Hops () and English Elm (). |
Butterflies of Britain ID Chart
Your personal guide to British Butterflies. This 8-panel laminated chart is designed for speedy butterfly identification in the field. Ideal for anyone interested in identifying butterflies, perfect for children and adults and ideal for outdoor use, laminated, shower-proof and robust. |
|
 |
Online store
Visit our online store for many more butterfly related books and gifts. |
Population trends 1
UK Population trend 1995-2004  up by 64%
UK Population trend 1976-2004 up by 305%
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M. (2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
UK BAP status 2
UK BAP status not listed (link)
2For information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, visit the JNCC web site jncc.defra.gov.uk. |
|
|
National Biodiversity Network Gateway Distribution
Map
Areas in  and  indicate a contraction in distribution of the Comma except in Ireland where data is only available up until 1999.
* Records shown in  outside the natural distribution may be the result of illegal or accidental releases by breeders or, depending upon the species, migrant individuals from mainland Europe.
Key to map*
= 2000 to 2010 inclusive (current distribution)
= records from 1950 to 1999 inclusive
= records from 1900 to 1949 inclusive
Records prior to 1st January 1900 are not shown.
The NBN Gateway records are shown on the map right. (See terms and conditions).
More data is available on the Comma on the NBN Gateway web site. 
|
|
|
|
|
References
For full details of books and reports mentioned on this web site, view the references page.
Find out more online*
Comma can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site.
Comma can be found on Matt Rowlings excellent European Butterflies web site.
|
|
Show your support for this site
Every penny helps. From web site hosting to its continued development as a free resource for all, we need money to cover these ongoing costs.
Can you help towards the running costs of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk?
|
|
Aberrations and forms
There are 18 named aberrant forms of the Comma currently listed. Find out more about aberrants here.
| ab. carbonaria - Verity 1916 |
|
| ab. c-extinctum - Gillmer 1907 |
|
| ab. delta-album - Joseph 1919 |
|
| ab. dilutus - Frohawk 1938 |
|
| ab. extincta - Rebel 1920 |
|
|
|
| ab. imperfecta - Blachier 1908 |
|
| ab. iota-album - Newnham 1894 |
|
|
| ab. nigracastanea - Verity 1950 |
|
|
|
| ab. reichstettensis - Fettig 1893 |
|
| ab. sagitta-album - Frohawk 1938 |
|
| ab. suffusa - Frohawk 1938 |
|
| ab. variegata - Tutt 1896 |
|
| form. hutchinsoni - Robson 1881 |
|
|
 Comma ab.reichstettensis |
|
|
|
