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Comma

Polygonia c-album

Moths & Butterflies

A dark green butterfly in a white circle with a coral border
Moths & Butterflies
Family:
Nymphalidae
Origin:
Native
Diet:
Stinging Nettle
Close up of a Comma Butterfly showing the bright orange inside and light brown outside of its' wings
A Comma Butterfly sitting on bracken leaves, spreading its bright orange spotted wings
A Comma Butterfly with wings closed rests on a man's finger
The pupa of a Comma Butterfly hand from a leaf stem
A Comma Butterfly sitting on a leaf spreading its bright orange spotted wings

When to See Me

Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
A Comma Butterfly sitting on a stinging nettle, spreading its bright orange spotted wings
Spotting Tips

The Comma is distinctive butterfly that has been spreading north in recent years, and can now be seen regularly in the Highlands. In the mid-1800s the Comma was only found in Welsh Marches, but after adapting a preference to stinging nettles its range steadily expanded.

The wings have a ragged outline with scalloped edges, and the brown colouring of the underside conceals them well amongst dead leaves. When fully opened the wings reveal a complex pattern of orange-brown markings making it one of the more photogenic butterflies you’ll see in the UK.

The species has a flexible life cycle, allowing it to capitalize on favourable weather, however in the Highlands this is usually restricted to the spring and summer months.

  • Caterpillars:  Orangey-Brown / Black, with a large white mark covering the back part of its body. Covered in many branched spines, these caterpillars’ favourite food is stinging nettles.
  • Adults:  The distinctive orange and brown wings are around 5-6cm, and have a white ‘comma’ mark that gives it its’ name. Generally found on the edge of woodlands searching for nectar or sugars from fallen fruit in late summer.
Where to Find Me
In most of the UK Commas can be seen at any time of year, however here in the Highlands they tend to be active between April and October. The species is known for basking on tree trunks and woodpiles especially along woodland edges, likely waiting for a mate. They are also known to select and prefer a specific perch, so if you happen to disturb one it will almost invariable flutter back to the same place. Later in the summer they can also be found feasting on berries or fallen fruit, fattening themselves up for hibernation.
The black and orange caterpillar of the Comma Butterfly, with a distinctive white fur patch on its' back
Learn More
Butterfly Conservation Website
Butterflies of the Scottish Highlands (PDF)
Woodland Trust Website

Comma

Polygonia c-album

Close up of a Comma Butterfly showing the bright orange inside and light brown outside of its' wings
A Comma Butterfly sitting on bracken leaves, spreading its bright orange spotted wings
A Comma Butterfly with wings closed rests on a man's finger
The pupa of a Comma Butterfly hand from a leaf stem
A Comma Butterfly sitting on a leaf spreading its bright orange spotted wings

Moths & Butterflies

A dark green butterfly in a white circle with a coral border
Moths & Butterflies
Family:
Nymphalidae
Origin:
Native
Diet:
Stinging Nettle
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
A Comma Butterfly sitting on a stinging nettle, spreading its bright orange spotted wings

The Comma is distinctive butterfly that has been spreading north in recent years, and can now be seen regularly in the Highlands. In the mid-1800s the Comma was only found in Welsh Marches, but after adapting a preference to stinging nettles its range steadily expanded.

The wings have a ragged outline with scalloped edges, and the brown colouring of the underside conceals them well amongst dead leaves. When fully opened the wings reveal a complex pattern of orange-brown markings making it one of the more photogenic butterflies you’ll see in the UK.

The species has a flexible life cycle, allowing it to capitalize on favourable weather, however in the Highlands this is usually restricted to the spring and summer months.

  • Caterpillars:  Orangey-Brown / Black, with a large white mark covering the back part of its body. Covered in many branched spines, these caterpillars’ favourite food is stinging nettles.
  • Adults:  The distinctive orange and brown wings are around 5-6cm, and have a white ‘comma’ mark that gives it its’ name. Generally found on the edge of woodlands searching for nectar or sugars from fallen fruit in late summer.
In most of the UK Commas can be seen at any time of year, however here in the Highlands they tend to be active between April and October. The species is known for basking on tree trunks and woodpiles especially along woodland edges, likely waiting for a mate. They are also known to select and prefer a specific perch, so if you happen to disturb one it will almost invariable flutter back to the same place. Later in the summer they can also be found feasting on berries or fallen fruit, fattening themselves up for hibernation.
The black and orange caterpillar of the Comma Butterfly, with a distinctive white fur patch on its' back