Satyr Comma
Polygonia satyrus (W.H. Edwards, 1869)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is bright yellow-orange; forewing with two black spots near center of bottom edge; hindwing lacks a dark border, has a black spot in center of wing. Underside is light and dark golden brown, median band relatively straight; hindwing with a silver comma in center.
Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4/5 - 6.4 cm).
Life History: In late afternoon, males perch on tree trunks and low vegetation in woodland openings to watch for females. Eggs are laid singly, in stacks, or in groups on the lower side of nettle leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and make a shelter by pulling down and fastening the edges of a leaf with silk. Adults hibernate.
Flight: Two to three flights on the Pacific Coast from February-November; two flights in Colorado, Nevada, and Saskatchewan from June-September; one flight in remainder of range from July-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various nettles (Urticaceae species).
Adult Food: Tree sap, rotting fruit, flower nectar including that from blackberry and almond.
Habitat: Valley bottoms, along streams, wooded prairie ravines, marshes, openings in riparian woods, fields and edges near moist woods.
Range: Southern Yukon and Northwest Territories south through western Canada and western United States to Baja California, southern Arizona, and southwest New Mexico; east across the Great Lakes states to northern New England and Nova Scotia.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 49 - 72 of 981 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 27, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2023
Observation date: Jul 04, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Stillwater County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 18, 2023
Observation date: Jul 02, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 08, 2023
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2023
Submitted by: RichHubie
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2023
Observation date: Jul 01, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 01, 2023
Observation date: May 13, 2023
Submitted by: tjay13
Region: Catron County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 09, 2023
Observation date: May 24, 2023
Submitted by: bshettler
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jun 05, 2023
Observation date: Apr 16, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 28, 2023
Observation date: Apr 24, 2023
Submitted by: abrasket
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 18, 2023
Observation date: Jul 11, 2022
Submitted by: one72guy
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: May 17, 2023
Observation date: Sep 01, 2020
Submitted by: gjyanicki
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 16, 2023
Observation date: Apr 25, 2023
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 16, 2023
Observation date: Apr 29, 2023
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 01, 2023
Observation date: Apr 11, 2023
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 01, 2023
Observation date: Apr 25, 2023
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 01, 2023
Observation date: Apr 13, 2023
Submitted by: mattyn
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 15, 2023
Observation date: Mar 22, 2023
Submitted by: Jurfie
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Apr 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 15, 2022
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 27, 2023
Observation date: Oct 05, 2021
Submitted by: Boba
Region: Juneau, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 11, 2023
Observation date: May 23, 2021
Submitted by: DanielS
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 10, 2023
Observation date: Apr 17, 2021
Submitted by: aezoss
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 10, 2023
Observation date: Sep 03, 2021
Submitted by: Carol Boyce
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
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