description Hoary Comma Overview
Hoary Comma, Polygonia gracilis, is a brush-footed butterfly found in northern and mountainous parts of North America. The species is recognized by the pale, frosted appearance of the underside of its hindwings, a feature reflected in the common name. Like other comma butterflies in the genus Polygonia, it has irregular wing margins and a small comma-shaped mark on the underside of the hindwing. It is relevant to field naturalists identifying woodland and montane butterflies.
help Hoary Comma FAQ
How do I identify a Hoary Comma butterfly?
Hoary Comma is Polygonia gracilis, with dark reddish-orange upper wings and a pale frosted gray or silver area on the underside of the hindwing. Its wingspan is about 3.9 to 5.7 cm, and the underside has a hooked comma mark. [Butterflies and Moths of North America](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Polygonia-gracilis)
Where is the Hoary Comma found?
Its range covers boreal and mountainous parts of North America, from central Alaska through southern Canada and the Great Lakes to New England and the Maritimes. It also reaches south through the Rocky Mountains to central California and northern New Mexico.
What plants do Hoary Comma caterpillars eat?
The caterpillars feed on currants and gooseberries in the genus Ribes, as well as western azalea and mock azalea. Eggs are laid on host-plant leaves or their petioles.
When does the Hoary Comma fly?
Overwintered adults emerge in spring and lay eggs through about June, while the new generation appears around July and flies into September. Adults then hibernate, which is typical of this northern Polygonia species.
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