Commas

Commas are medium-sized, orange-brown butterflies known for their deeply scalloped, uneven wing edges that give them a ragged outline when flying. The name comes from a small white mark on the underside of the wing that looks like a comma. This mark can be seen when the butterfly rests with its wings closed. The pattern on the underside of the wing looks like tree bark, which helps the butterfly blend in with tree trunks and fallen leaves. These butterflies live in temperate areas across the Northern Hemisphere. Several species are found in Britain and Europe. They prefer places like the edges of woodlands, hedgerows, gardens, and other partly open spaces where the plants their caterpillars eat are found. Commas are strong fliers and are among the first butterflies to appear in spring, as they spend the winter as adults. They often bask with their wings open on plants in the sun. They are also drawn to fermenting fruit, tree sap, and flowering plants.