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Species Details
Polygonia gracilis gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameHoary Comma
SeasonalityOne brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October.
IdentificationThe dark, two-toned underside, with a dark basal half and lighter outer half, is most similar to the Oreas and Grey Commas (P. oreas and P. progne). In gracilis, the submarginal spots on the hindwing upperside are diffuse, not well-defined and surrounded by a dark area as in progne. Gracilis also has a more 'contrasty' underside than progne. In the foothills south of the Crowsnest Pass, gracilis can be tricky to separate from the Oreas Comma; The Hoary has wing fringes that are more lobed than angulate, and lacks the patches of white wing fringes. It has a grey rather than grey-brown underside.
Subspecies zephyrus occurs in at least parts of Alberta, which is by some considered to be a species separate from gracilis (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Layberry et al. (1998) and Scott (1986) treat them as one species, and Norbert Kondla has also appraised this situation with similar conclusions. Some Alberta populations do not look like any described subspecies (Layberry et al. 1998, Kondla pers. com.).
Scientific Name
Polygonia gracilis gracilis
Common Name
Hoary Comma
Habitat
A species of foothills and boreal forests, particularly moist coniferous forest openings.
Seasonality
One brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October.
Identification
The dark, two-toned underside, with a dark basal half and lighter outer half, is most similar to the Oreas and Grey Commas (P. oreas and P. progne). In gracilis, the submarginal spots on the hindwing upperside are…
The dark, two-toned underside, with a dark basal half and lighter outer half, is most similar to the Oreas and Grey Commas (P. oreas and P. progne). In gracilis, the submarginal spots on the hindwing upperside are diffuse, not well-defined and surrounded by a dark area as in progne. Gracilis also has a more 'contrasty' underside than progne. In the foothills south of the Crowsnest Pass, gracilis can be tricky to separate from the Oreas Comma; The Hoary has wing fringes that are more lobed than angulate, and lacks the patches of white wing fringes. It has a grey rather than grey-brown underside.
Subspecies zephyrus occurs in at least parts of Alberta, which is by some considered to be a species separate from gracilis (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Layberry et al. (1998) and Scott (1986) treat them as one species, and Norbert Kondla has also appraised this situation with similar conclusions. Some Alberta populations do not look like any described subspecies (Layberry et al. 1998, Kondla pers. com.).
Life History
The mature larvae are predominantly black with branched spines and black heads, with the back of the front half reddish (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The dorsum of the back half is white. Pupae can be either light or dark…
The mature larvae are predominantly black with branched spines and black heads, with the back of the front half reddish (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The dorsum of the back half is white. Pupae can be either light or dark brown, possibly reflecting the sex of the individual, with females being dark (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Like other commas, adults emerge in late summer, are active until fall, then enter hibernation in sheltered areas such as hollow logs and buildings. Adults emerge from hibernation in spring, when they mate and reproduce (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on currants, gooseberries (Ribes spp.) and white rhododendron (Rhododendron albiflorum) in BC (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Range
Ranges from the southeastern Yukon south and east through the boreal region to Newfoundland and New England (Layberry et al. 1998), south in the West to New Mexico and California (Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Polygonia gracilis gracilis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Polygonia gracilis gracilis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2655/9-264520. Accessed 12 Dec. 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
Author
Scott, J. A.
Title
The Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date
1986
Pages
583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 75 specimens of this Species.
UASM211993 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-08-27
UASM211994 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-09-01
UASM370082 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected BySoderlind, L.
Date Collected2012-04-30
UASM370090 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected BySoderlind, L.
Date Collected2012-05-15
UASM370091 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByAcorn, J.
Date Collected2012-08-07
UASM370092 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected ByDupuis, J. R.
Date Collected2012-08-15
UASM370193 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Tumbler Ridge
Collected ByDupuis, J. R.
Date Collected2013-08-09
UASM370195 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lac La Biche
Collected ByMcDonald, C.
Date Collected2013-08-29
UASM370196 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lac La Biche
Collected ByMcDonald, C.
Date Collected2013-08-29
UASM370202 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia
Collected ByBrunet, B.
Date Collected2013-05-12
UASM370206 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Gregg River
Collected ByMcDonald, C.
Date Collected2013-08-23
UASM370249 - Polygonia gracilis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Rock Creek Park, Kettle Valley
Collected BySperling, F. A. H.
Date Collected2013-07-14