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Species Details
Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGreen Comma
SeasonalityOne brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October.
IdentificationThe predominantly grey underside is most like that of P. progne, P. oreas and P. gracilis; the Green Comma has a more mottled rather than a two-toned underside, and the moss-green patches in the margins of the underside will serve to distinguish it. There is some variability over this species' distribution in the province, and it is unclear at the time which subspecies names are best applied (N. Kondla, unpubl. data).
Scientific Name
Polygonia faunus
Common Name
Green Comma
Habitat
Boreal forest clearings and roadways, occasionally occurring in the aspen parkland.
Seasonality
One brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October.
Identification
The predominantly grey underside is most like that of P. progne, P. oreas and P. gracilis; the Green Comma has a more mottled rather than a two-toned underside, and the moss-green patches in the margins of the…
The predominantly grey underside is most like that of P. progne, P. oreas and P. gracilis; the Green Comma has a more mottled rather than a two-toned underside, and the moss-green patches in the margins of the underside will serve to distinguish it. There is some variability over this species' distribution in the province, and it is unclear at the time which subspecies names are best applied (N. Kondla, unpubl. data).
Life History
The green eggs are sculpted with 10 - 12 vertical ribs, and are laid in the spring after females overwinter and mate. The mature larvae are spiny with black, bilobed heads, the front half of the body coloured…
The green eggs are sculpted with 10 - 12 vertical ribs, and are laid in the spring after females overwinter and mate. The mature larvae are spiny with black, bilobed heads, the front half of the body coloured rust-brown and the rear pure white (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Pupae are brown or grey with silvered tubercles (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Adults hibernate in wood piles, unheated buildings and hollow trees and stumps (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
In BC, the larvae feed on willows (Salix spp.), alder (Alnus spp.) and paper birch (Betula payrifera) (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Adults rarely visit flowers, preferring instead the sap of poplars (Populus spp.) and…
In BC, the larvae feed on willows (Salix spp.), alder (Alnus spp.) and paper birch (Betula payrifera) (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Adults rarely visit flowers, preferring instead the sap of poplars (Populus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.) (Guppy & Shepard 2001), particularly in the spring when sap flows are high and contain lots of sugars. Carrion and mammal scat will also attract commas.
Range
The Green Comma is found from Alaska east across the boreal region to Newfoundland and New England, in the west south to California and New Mexico (Layberry et al. 1998, Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Polygonia faunus
Page Citation
"Species Details - Polygonia faunus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2654/9-444996. Accessed 23 Jun. 2024.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
Title
Butterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2001
Pages
414
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Specimen Information
There are 533 specimens of this Species.
BIRD6252 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-05-26
BIRD6253 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-08-12
BIRD6254 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-08-12
BIRD6255 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McKenzie Crossing
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-05-04
BIRD29481 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByPaul, G.
Date Collected2007-09-09
UASM134908 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: South Dakota, Lawrence county, Black Hills National Forest
Collected ByProshek, B.
Date Collected2008-08-24
BIRD23102 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-04-13
BIRD23103 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-09-29
BIRD33048 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, East Arrowwood Creek
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-05-29
UASM337204 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Paddockwood
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2003-08-07
UASM337205 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Whiteswan Lakes
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2003-08-09
UASM337206 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Whiteswan Lakes
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2003-08-09
UASM337207 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Whiteswan Lakes
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2003-08-09
UASM337208 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Whiteswan Lakes
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2003-08-09
UASM337209 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Paddockwood
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2003-08-07
UASM337210 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1988-05-21
UASM337211 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1973-08-09
UASM337212 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1973-08-09
UASM337213 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sand Hill Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1983-05-24
UASM337214 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sand Hill Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1983-08-12
UASM337215 - Polygonia faunus
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1995-06-14