Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album), one of Europe’s most distinctive and adaptable butterflies:

**Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album)**

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)
Genus: Polygonia
Species: P. c-album

General Description

A medium-sized butterfly recognized by its ragged wing edges and cryptic underwing marking.

Wingspan: 45–55 mm.
Upperside:
- Bright orange to reddish-brown.
- Marked with dark brown/black spots.
- Jagged, irregular wing margins give it a “torn” appearance.
Underside:
- Mottled brown, resembling dead leaves.
- Small, white comma-shaped mark (“C”) in the center of the hindwing—origin of its name.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females similar; males slightly smaller with more intense coloration.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Flight Period:
- Two or more broods per year depending on climate.
- Adults fly from March–October, hibernating through winter.
Hibernation: Adults overwinter in leaf litter, tree hollows, and sheds; one of the first butterflies to reappear in spring.
Feeding:
- Adults feed on nectar, ripe fruit, and tree sap.
- Caterpillars feed on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), elm, currant, hop, and willows.
Territoriality:
- Males perch in sunny spots, defending territories against rivals.
Generations:
- Summer brood (lighter-colored form, hutchinsoni).
- Autumn brood (darker, intended for hibernation).

Habitat

Adaptable, found in:
- Woodland edges and clearings.
- Hedgerows and gardens.
- Riverbanks and meadows.
Prefers sunny, sheltered locations with larval host plants nearby.

Geographic Range

Europe: Widespread across most of Europe, from Iberia to Scandinavia.
Asia: Extends east through temperate Asia to Japan.
Expanding its range northward in recent decades due to warmer climates and adaptation to new host plants (especially hops and currants).

Ecological Role

Pollinator: Contributes to the pollination of wildflowers and garden plants.
Prey: Eaten by insectivorous birds, spiders, and wasps.
Indicator Species: Presence reflects healthy, semi-natural habitats with a mosaic of woodland and open land.

Special Adaptations

Camouflage: Dead-leaf underwing coloration makes it nearly invisible when resting.
Variable Broods: Flexible life cycle allows two or more generations depending on conditions.
Hibernation Strategy: Adults overwinter, unlike many butterflies that overwinter as caterpillars or pupae.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Trends: Populations generally stable or increasing in Europe.
Threats: Local declines from over-intensive agriculture, pesticide use, and loss of hedgerows.
Benefited from climate warming, expanding its northern range.

Interesting Facts

The comma-shaped mark on the hindwing is a unique feature among European butterflies.
Its ragged wing edges act as disruptive camouflage, making it resemble torn leaves when resting.
The summer brood (form hutchinsoni) is brighter orange and does not hibernate, while the autumn brood is darker and enters diapause.
Despite its fragile appearance, the species is tough and cold-resistant, surviving European winters.