Eastern comma

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Eastern comma 
Polygonia comma

Wing span: 
1 3/4 to 2 1/2  inches 

Caterpillar hosts plants: 
members of the elm family (Ulmaceae) including American elm, Ulmus; hackberry, Celtis; and members of the nettle family (Urticaceae) including false nettle, Boehmeria; hop, Humulus; nettle, Urtica; wood nettle, Laportea

Adult food:  
rotting fruit, tree sap, and nectar of butterfly bush, Buddleia; dandelion, Taraxacum

Habitat: 
deciduous woodlands, woods near rivers, marshes, swamps, near other water sources 

Notes:  
females lay eggs singly or in stacks on underside of host leaves or stems, hibernates as adults, some migrate south, males perch to locate females. 
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