The Comma has only recently established itself as a breeding species in Ireland but is spreading north and west rapidly.  Prior to this lone individuals were sometimes encountered and were probably vagrants from the UK. It could possibly be mistaken for a ragged Small Tortoiseshell or if seen in SE Europe, a Southern Comma however it is more heavily-marked and darker than the latter and has a paler underside than the former. The silvery comma marking on the butterfly’s underside (from which it gets its name) is unique to the species. Like the adult the pupa can imitate dead leaves perfectly whilst the larva mimic the appearance of birds droppings to fool would-be predators. Interestingly if individuals emerge before the summer solstice they will be paler and breed again, whereas individuals emerging after this date are darker and will hibernate instead.

Distribution: Most of Europe but absent from SW Iberia, Scotland, northern Ireland and northern Fennoscandia.

Flight Period: May-September, with post-hibernation individuals appearing March-April.

Habitat: Woodland edges and clearings,  lightly-wooded scrub, parks and gardens.

Foodplants: Primarily Nettle (Urtica dioica), but also Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa), currants (Ribes), willows (Salix), elms (Ulmus) and Hop (Humulus lupulus)

Nectar Sources: Brambles (Rubus), thistles (Cirsium), dandelions (Taraxacum), Allium, scabiouses (Knautia), Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), Buddleia and ivy (Hedera).

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