Comma
Polygonia c-album
Habitat
In the Netherlands, the Comma is a common resident butterfly and can be found throughout the Netherlands. This butterfly species inhabits forest edges, open spaces in forests, parks and gardens. Since the Comma flies in 2 generations, you can spot this butterfly species twice a year. The first generation flies between the end of June and the end of August. The second generation flies from the end of August to the beginning of October. The second generation goes into complete winter dormancy and will then flutter around between mid-March and the end of May.
Appearance
Life cycle
The Comma stays in the egg for 4 to 7 days. When the Comma hatches from the egg, this butterfly species is still a caterpillar. The caterpillar lives for 15 to 27 days, after which the caterpillar pupates. Pupation lasts for 9 to 17 days. The first generation flutters as a butterfly for 25 to 60 days. The second generation lives as a butterfly for 280 to 360 days.
Host plants and nectar plants
Host plants are special plants on which butterflies, such as the Comma, lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the caterpillars eat from those plants. In this way, the caterpillars grow until they are large and strong enough to change into butterflies. This is why host plants are essential for the survival of butterfly species, because without host plants there are no caterpillars and therefore ultimately no butterflies.
Each butterfly species has its own favourite plants. The host plants of the Comma are as follows: Common nettle (Urtica dioica), Common hop (Humulus lupulus), Scots elm (Ulmus glabra), Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum), Goat willow (Salix caprea), Common hazel (Corylus avellana) and Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa).
Most butterfly species, such as the Comma, need nectar to survive. Butterflies get nectar from nectar plants. Nectar is a viscous fluid that comes from flowers. This fluid contains a lot of sugar, small amounts of proteins and vitamins. Nectar provides the energy that the Comma needs to be able to fly.
The Comma feeds on various nectar plants, such as Buddleja (Buddleja), Eupatorium (Eupatorium), Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), Common ivy (Hedera helix), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Willow (Salix), Field thistle (Cirsium arvense), Brambles (Rubus), Stonecrops (Sedum) and New England aster (Aster novae-angliae).
Do you want to give the Comma a helping hand? Then plant (some of) these species in your garden.
Caution with some plant species
Eupatorium (Eupatorium) is used in natural medicine. This plant has a medicinal effect on the liver, urinary tract, kidneys, bones, joints and digestive system. This plant is poisonous when consumed in large quantities.
All parts of the Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) are poisonous to humans.
Common ivy (Hedera helix) contains berries that are poisonous to humans. Ingestion of the berries causes skin rash, fever, vomiting, stomach ache and a drowsy feeling.
The berries of the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) are not very poisonous. When ingesting less than 10 berries, it is sufficient to drink some water.
