Comma - Polygonia c-album
By Cariad18
3 May, 2022
1 like
Another snap from along the canal and some info I found.
Appearance
The orange and brown wings of the comma are deeply scalloped to give an almost ragged appearance. On the underside of the hindwing, visible if the butterfly has its wings closed, is a small silvery comma-shaped marking.
Where to find it
At one time restricted to the south, this butterfly has colonised huge areas of the UK over the past 50 years and now breeds right up to central Scotland. A few have even crossed the sea to start to colonise Ireland.
Foodplants
Comma caterpillars, which are camouflaged to resemble bird droppings, feed on a range of plants including nettle, hop and elm. The butterflies feed from flowers and also fallen fruit.
Comments on this photo
I thought so too Anget :) they sort of remind me of my grandma’s doilies she use to have lol.
4 May, 2022
one of the earliest fliers, photo'd one in March.
5 May, 2022
Thank you Seaburngirl :) I’ve scattered some wildflower seeds in my flowerbed amongst all the other plants to encourage more butterflies and pollinators into the garden and trying to grow some Verbena bonariensis from seed too so fingers crossed they take.
5 May, 2022
You certainly have a lovely place to walk and capture the wildlife! Thanks Cal for sharing your pics and very interesting info too!
7 May, 2022
Thank you Kate, not a problem. I am quite fortunate to be so close to access the canals, brooks and parks, the walks and bike rides started out so I could get fitter but I absolutely love the peace and quiet so I can get away from it all. The wildlife and plants are the icing on the cake, I think I’ve become addicted lol.
7 May, 2022
Facinatingly shaped wings. We see a few each year.
4 May, 2022