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Species Details
Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGrey Comma
SeasonalityOne brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October.
IdentificationThis is one of three commas with a dark, two-toned underside; distinguished from the Hoary Comma (P. gracilis) by the submarginal hindwing spots, which are clearly outlined and stand out against a solid dark border in progne, but are diffuse in gracilis. Greys lack the prominent patches of white wing fringes found in the Oreas Comma (P. oreas), which give the wing margin a more jagged appearance. The wing upperside of progne is also brighter orange with smaller black spots compared to oreas.
There are no described subspecies, although some authors consider the Oreas Comma (P. oreas) as a subspecies of the Grey. Both forms, however, occur together in parts of Alberta and British Columbia without apparent interbreeding (Bird et al. 1995, Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Scientific Name
Polygonia progne
Common Name
Grey Comma
Habitat
Primarily a forest species, found in openings in moist mixed-wood areas.
Seasonality
One brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October.
Identification
This is one of three commas with a dark, two-toned underside; distinguished from the Hoary Comma (P. gracilis) by the submarginal hindwing spots, which are clearly outlined and stand out against a solid dark border in…
This is one of three commas with a dark, two-toned underside; distinguished from the Hoary Comma (P. gracilis) by the submarginal hindwing spots, which are clearly outlined and stand out against a solid dark border in progne, but are diffuse in gracilis. Greys lack the prominent patches of white wing fringes found in the Oreas Comma (P. oreas), which give the wing margin a more jagged appearance. The wing upperside of progne is also brighter orange with smaller black spots compared to oreas.
There are no described subspecies, although some authors consider the Oreas Comma (P. oreas) as a subspecies of the Grey. Both forms, however, occur together in parts of Alberta and British Columbia without apparent interbreeding (Bird et al. 1995, Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Life History
The light green eggs have seven vertical ribs that project above the top, and are laid singly on the hostplant; they hatch within 8 or 9 days (Bird et al. 1995). The mature larvae are tan-coloured with black and paler…
The light green eggs have seven vertical ribs that project above the top, and are laid singly on the hostplant; they hatch within 8 or 9 days (Bird et al. 1995). The mature larvae are tan-coloured with black and paler brown oblique stripes across the back. They bear the branched spines typical of this genus, and these can be black, yellow or white. The pupae are mottled pinkish brown and green (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. They emerge from hibernation in the first warm days of early spring.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae reportedly feed primarily on gooseberry and currant (Ribes spp.) (Layberry et al. 1998). Adults feed on tree sap flows (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Range
This species is at home in the boreal forest, from the southern Yukon and the Mackenzie Valley of the Northwest Territories southeast across Canada to Newfoundland, south to North Carolina and Kansas (Layberry et al. 1998).
Citation
Page Citation for Polygonia progne
Page Citation
"Species Details - Polygonia progne, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2658/9-422690. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.
References
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 160 specimens of this Species.
UASM25012 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1983-07-16
UASM25013 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1982-07-21
UASM78039 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake
Collected ByHilchie, G.; Hilchie, J.; Holmberg, R.
Date Collected2004-06-14
BIRD6256 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-06-03
BIRD6257 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-05-31
BIRD6258 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-05-11
UASM213011 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Plateau Mountain
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1988-08-25
UASM213012 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1988-05-12
UASM213013 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1988-08-29
BIRD35723 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-05-13
BIRD35724 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-05-13
BIRD35725 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-05-26
UASM337370 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2004-07-10
UASM337581 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Millarville
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1971-05-03
UASM337582 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Millarville
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1971-05-03
UASM337583 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1973-08-08
UASM337584 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Millarville
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1971-05-02
UASM337585 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1973-05-06
UASM337586 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Park
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1968-09
UASM337587 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1975-06-08
UASM337588 - Polygonia progne
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Mt. Baldy
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1976-07-08