comma
Polygonum c-album
- Orange brown with darker markings and an unusual wing shape
- It has a white ‘comma’ on the underwing
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comma butterfly fact sheet
Where found
Woodland clearings and gardens, where its larvae feed on nettle, willow, redcurrant, hazel and elm. England and Wales.
When to look for - Hibernated individuals from late March/early April
Fabulous comma butterfly facts
- Gets its name from the white marking on its underwing which resembles a comma
- When resting with wings closed, their jagged outline makes it look like a withered leaf, inconspicuous against wood or foliage
- Its preferred larval food plant is stinging nettles, but will also lay its eggs on species of willow, currant, elm and hops
- It nectars on wild flowers such as thistles and knapweed, and can be seen in autumn feeding on ripe blackberries and fallen fruit such as plums
- The comma caterpillar is brown with a large white mark on its rear end, making it look like a bird dropping and so not interesting to predators