Comma
Polygonia c-album
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Comma's deeply scalloped wing edges make it unmistakeable — no other British butterfly has such ragged-looking wings. The underside, when the wings are closed, is a perfect dead leaf including the white comma-shaped mark that gives the species its name. From 1920 to the 1960s it retreated to Wales and west England; since then it has expanded rapidly northward and the Sefton Coast now has a good population. The scalloped wings are a camouflage adaptation.
At a Glance
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Dune scrub · Woodland edge · Hedgerow with Hop · Garden |
| Diet | Adults: Bramble, Ivy, Buddleia, overripe fruit. Larvae: Hop, Stinging Nettle, Elm. |
| UK population | Widespread and increasing; remarkable range expansion northward |
| Sefton Coast | Established on the Sefton Coast since the 1980s; now common in scrubby habitats |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Dune scrub and woodland edges at Ainsdale and Formby. Feeds on Bramble, ivy and overripe fruit.
Identification
Unmistakeable ragged-edged wings. Rich orange-brown above with dark spots. Underside: beautiful dead-leaf pattern, white comma mark on hindwing. Two colour forms: one orange, one darker.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Watch Bramble and Ivy flowers at Ainsdale in August and September. The dead-leaf underside makes roosting Commas almost invisible.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Comma have such ragged wing edges?
The deeply scalloped, ragged wing edges of the Comma are a camouflage adaptation. When the butterfly rests with wings closed, it is almost indistinguishable from a dead leaf — the irregular edge matches the irregular edges of damaged or partially decomposed leaves. This is a remarkably effective defence that allows the butterfly to roost in exposed positions.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.