Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Disclaimer: This material is being kept online for historical purposes. Content is no longer being updated and may contain broken links.


Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Nymphalidae

     Polygonia gracilis
     Hoary Comma


upperside
underside

Size: wingspread 2-2.5 in.
Recognition: Very similar to the Satyr Comma, more distinctly gray than brown beneath, and lacking the third (posterior) black spot on upperside of HW.
Flight period: Adults active mainly during summer and early fall.
Hostplants: Larvae of the Hoary Comma feed mainly on currants and gooseberries (Ribes - Grossulariaceae), as well as on some members of the Heath family (Ericaceae).
Habitat: Found in varied habitats, typically moister mid- to upper elevation areas, such as woodlands and streamsides.
Distribution: The Hoary Comma occurs throughout the western U.S. and Canada. It has not been definitely recorded from Santa Barbara County, but may occur in the higher elevations of the backcountry.

previous species                     Family list     Nymphalidae                     next species

© Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History