Polygonia satyrus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameSatyr Comma SeasonalityOne brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October. IdentificationSatyr Commas have a striped (in males) or evenly-coloured (females) brown underside rather than two-toned grey like the other Polygonia species (except for the Question Mark, which is larger and has a violet upperside wing border). Satyrs are sexually dimorphic, and the underside of the female has a more monotone, smooth brown underside than the male.

Scientific Name Polygonia satyrus Common Name Satyr Comma Habitat In woodlands throughout the province, particularly in the boreal and parkland regions. Seasonality One brood per year, appearing in early spring (April to May) and again in August to October. Identification

Satyr Commas have a striped (in males) or evenly-coloured (females) brown underside rather than two-toned grey like the other Polygonia species (except for the Question Mark, which is larger and has a violet upperside wing border). Satyrs are sexually dimorphic, and the underside of the female has a more monotone, smooth brown underside than the male.

Life History

The eggs are whitish and have 10 to 12 vertical ribs. Mature larvae have a black, bilobed head with each lobe bearing a spine; the body is black with greenish white lines and black chevron marks along the dorsum, and is covered in branched spines (Scott 1986, Layberry et al. 1998). The pupa is tan-coloured with a sivler patch below the thorax (Scott 1986). Adults live longer than most other butterflies since they hibernate; eggs are laid in the spring by overwintered females, and the next generation is on the wing by late summer. One of the first butterflies to appear in spring, becoming active in April, occasionally earlier with warm weather spells.

Conservation No concerns. Diet Info The larvae have only been found on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) in Canada (Layberry et al. 1998). Range Found throughout the boreal region of Canada from the central Yukon and southern Northwest territories east and south New England. South in the western US to New Mexico and California (Layberry et al. 1998, Opler 1999).

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Page Citation

"Species Details - Polygonia satyrus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2659/9-422884. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.