Description
Polygonia faunus, commonly known as the Green Comma or Faunus Anglewing, is a North American butterfly characterized by its distinctive wing shape and pattern. The wings have jagged edges, mimicking a dried leaf, which provides camouflage against predators. The upper side of the wings is orange-brown with dark spots, while the underside has a unique greenish-gray color with a silver comma-shaped mark, hence the name “Green Comma.”
Range
The Green Comma is restricted to Minnesota’s boreal forests in the northeastern third of the state. They can become quite common on the Superior Hiking Trail when there’s a break in the tree canopy.
Similar Species
Eastern Comma, Gray Comma, and Question Mark can all be confused for the Green Comma. They all occur within the Green Comma’s range. A couple of keys for green comma include more jagged wing edges, darker markings, and green mottling on the underside of the wings.
Host Plants
Various species of willows (Salix spp.) Birch (Betula spp.), Alder (Alnus spp.), Nettles (Urtica spp.), Ribes spp.
Flight
Overwinters as an adult, and can emerge as early as March and can fly until November (depending on the weather)