Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Overview

🧬 Taxonomy & Classification

• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)
• Subfamily: Nymphalinae
• Genus: Polygonia
• Species: Polygonia c-album
• Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Common Name: Comma butterfly
• Etymology: Named after the distinctive white comma-shaped marking (C) on the underside of the hindwing.

🪶 Morphological Description

🦋 Adult Butterfly

• Wingspan: 45–50 mm.
• Wing Shape: Deeply notched, ragged or scalloped wing edges—resembling a dead leaf.
• Coloration:
  • Upperwings: Bright orange with dark brown to black spots; forewings and hindwings scalloped.
  • Underwings: Cryptic, mottled brown, resembling dry leaves with a white comma (“c”) mark on the hindwing underside—a key identification feature.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Subtle; females slightly larger, but visual differences are minimal.

🐛 Caterpillar (Larva)

• Length: Up to 35 mm.
• Color: Variable; typically dark brown or black with white patches.
• Camouflage: Mimics bird droppings for protection from predators.
• Spines: Prominent branched spines cover the body.

🥚 Egg

• Shape: Ribbed and dome-shaped.
• Color: Pale green initially, turning dark before hatching.
• Laid Singly: On the upper side of host plant leaves.

🐚 Chrysalis (Pupa)

• Color: Typically brown or grey, with metallic gold spots.
• Shape: Angular and suspended by the cremaster from twigs or stems.

🌱 Habitat & Range

📍 Distribution

• Europe: Widespread across western, central, and southern Europe.
• Asia: Extends eastward through temperate Asia to Japan.
• Absent: From the far north (e.g., northern Scandinavia) and extreme Mediterranean dry zones.

🌿 Preferred Habitats

• Deciduous woodland edges and clearings.
• Hedgerows, riverbanks, gardens, parks, and orchards.
• Urban green spaces and countryside with nettles and hop plants.

🐛 Life Cycle & Phenology

🔁 Generations (Broods)

• Typically bivoltine (2 broods per year) in temperate areas:
  • Spring Brood: Emerges March–May.
  • Summer Brood: Emerges July–August.

In warmer areas, a third brood may occur.

⏳ Development Timeline

1. Egg Stage: 7–14 days.
2. Larval Stage: ~3 weeks.
3. Pupal Stage: ~2 weeks.
4. Adult Stage:
   • Summer adults live 2–4 weeks.
   • Autumn adults hibernate and can live for 6–7 months.

❄️ Overwintering Strategy

• Overwinters as an adult butterfly, hiding in hollow trees, sheds, leaf litter, or outbuildings.
• Enters diapause in autumn, reactivates in spring.

🧭 Behavior & Ecology

🧠 Camouflage & Mimicry

• The ragged wings and cryptic underside coloration closely mimic dead leaves—a prime example of protective mimicry.
• Active camouflage both during hibernation and rest.

🛫 Flight Pattern

• Energetic, erratic flight interspersed with basking.
• Frequently perches on tree trunks, brambles, or paths.

🧬 Polymorphism

• Two seasonal forms (a type of seasonal dimorphism):
  • Summer Form (hutchinsoni): Brighter, orange-tinted, does not hibernate.
  • Autumn Form: Darker, optimized for hibernation with more effective leaf-like underwing camouflage.

🍽️ Feeding Behavior

• Adults:
  • Nectar (thistles, bramble, ivy, buddleia).
  • Tree sap, fermenting fruit, aphid honeydew.
• Caterpillars:
  • Prefer nettles (Urtica dioica), hop (Humulus lupulus), elm (Ulmus spp.), currant (Ribes), and willow (Salix).

🌍 Ecological Role

• Pollinator: Minor role due to preference for tree sap and fruit, but does aid in pollination of late-summer flowers.
• Prey: Food source for birds, spiders, and predatory insects.
• Bioindicator: Presence and population trends reflect the health of woodland edge ecosystems.

🔬 Evolution & Adaptations

• Adaptation to climate: Expanded its range and increased brood frequency due to climate warming.
• Leaf mimicry: Likely evolved to enhance survival during the hibernation period.
• Plasticity: Ability to produce different morphs depending on photoperiod and temperature.

📊 Conservation Status

• IUCN: Not evaluated globally, but regionally secure.
• UK: Population has increased significantly since the 1970s.
  • Benefited from increased cultivation of nettles and a warming climate.
• Threats: Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate extremes may impact local populations.

🔎 Similar Species (Comparison)

📚 Further Reading & References

Butterfly Conservation [UK]: https://butterfly-conservation.org/

Thomas, J.A., et al. (2010). Butterflies of Britain and Ireland.

Asher, J., et al. (2001). The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland.

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Orange gull (Cepora judith)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Blue glassy tiger (Ideopsis similis)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Download full size image The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and parts of Asia. Here's a detailed description: Physical Characteristics: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is of medium size, with a wingspan typically ranging from 45 to 55 millimeters. It displays a distinctive pattern of bright orange wings bordered by a black band with white spots. The forewings also feature a row of blue crescents near the outer edge, while the hindwings have a series of blue spots and a border of black and yellow. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown, providing effective camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Habitat and Distribution: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and urban areas. They are distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia, such as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are particularly abundant in temperate regions with diverse plant species. Behavior and Life Cycle: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are diurnal and active during the warmer months of the year, especially in spring and summer. They are strong and agile flyers, often seen fluttering among flowers in search of nectar and mates. The females lay eggs singly on the leaves of stinging nettles (Urtica spp.), which serve as the primary larval host plant. The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves of the host plants before pupating and emerging as adult butterflies. Conservation Status: The Small Tortoiseshell is not considered globally threatened and is generally common and widespread throughout its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face localized threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by agricultural intensification, urbanization, and climate change. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring habitats, protecting larval host plants, and minimizing human disturbance are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic butterfly species. Overall, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful and ecologically important species, valued for its striking appearance, graceful flight, and role in pollination and ecosystem functioning. Its presence adds vibrancy and vitality to natural landscapes and serves as a symbol of the rich biodiversity of the regions where it is found.

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

False heath fritillary (Melitaea diamina)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Northern chequered skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)

Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

European peacock (Inachis io)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

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