gray comma

(Polygonia progne)

Conservation Status
gray comma
 
  IUCN Red List

not listed

 
  NatureServe

N4N5 - Apparently Secure to Secure

S4 - Apparently Secure

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
 
Description
 
 

The “comma” marking on the underside of the forewing of the gray comma is thin and tapers at both ends. The undersides of the wings are dark gray and heavily striated.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

Wingspan: 1½ to 2

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Clearings in deciduous or coniferous woods; dirt roads, streams.

 
     
 
Biology
 
 

Season

 
 

Two broods: June to July and August to early October.

 
     
 

Behavior

 
 

 

 
     
 

Life Cycle

 
 

 

 
     
 

Larva Hosts

 
 

Gooseberries

 
     
 

Adult Food

 
 

Sap

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

7, 21, 24, 27, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82.

 
  9/19/2022      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)  
 

Superfamily

Papilionoidea (butterflies)  
 

Family

Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)  
 

Subfamily

Nymphalinae (checkerspots, anglewings, peacocks, and allies)  
 

Tribe

Nymphalini (ladies, anglewings, and allies)  
 

Genus

Polygonia (commas)  
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

gray comma

grey comma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

Share your photo of this insect.

 
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Laura Baxley

 
  I had a beautiful specimen of a gray comma in my Minneapolis yard recently (June 28th). I've included... one with the wings closed so the 'gray comma' is quite visible.   gray comma  
           
        gray comma  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

Upper Side

 
    gray comma   gray comma  
           
    gray comma   gray comma  
           
 

Underside

 
    gray comma      
           
 

Caterpillar

 
    gray comma      

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)
Andree Reno Sanborn
  Gray Comma (Polygonia progne)  
Gray Comma
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
  Gray Comma  

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this insect.

 
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
 
 

 

 
     
     
       
       
 
Other Videos
 
  Gray Comma ( Butterfly )
Return to God's Garden
 
   
 
About

Published on Mar 5, 2013

This is a very cool looking butterfly that looks like a dried up leaf when it's wings are folded together.

 
  Gray Comma Butterfly
LJStrong
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Jul 20, 2011

One of those "stop and smell the flowers" moments. This beautiful creature was sitting on the railing of my house. (Music: Lisa Gerrard - Shadow Magnet)

 

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this insect.

 
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Terry O'Brien
9/18/2022

Location: on garlic chive blossoms in my garden, off Itasca Co Hwy 48

 
  L Fairchild
6/18/2021

Location: Norman County Fossum Twp

 
  Laura Baxley
6/28/2018

Location: Minneapolis

I had a beautiful specimen of a gray comma in my Minneapolis yard recently (June 28th). I've included... one with the wings closed so the 'gray comma' is quite visible.

gray comma  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
   

 

 

Binoculars


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