Green Comma (Polygonia faunus)

Description: Green Comma is best distinguished from other Maritime anglewings by the presence of a submarginal row of green spots on the underside of both wings, and by its very ragged wing margins. Wingspan: 34 to 47 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Widespread throughout the Maritimes. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S5. NS: S3. PEI: S1.

Flight Period: Green Commas overwinter as adults, and can be seen flying in April to mid June and from mid July to October. There is one generation per year with adults emerging in mid July.

Host Plant: Various birch (Betula spp.), willows (Salix spp.), alders (Alnus spp.), and blueberries (Vaccinium spp.).

Notes: Green Comma is mainly a species of mixed and coniferous woodlands. It is the most common of the commas, often found in large numbers along wood roads in mid-summer. It is abundant in New Brunswick but rare through most of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

All commas can be difficult to identify, and being able to do so with confidence requires experience. This is particularly true with spring specimens that are quite worn.