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 25 - 48 of 988 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 15, 2024
Submitted by: sandyleapt
Region: Benton County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 19, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2024
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 17, 2024
Observation date: Jul 10, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2024
Observation date: Jul 02, 2024
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2024
Observation date: Jun 30, 2024
Submitted by: bkbrott
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 01, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jun 25, 2024
Observation date: Jun 15, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 16, 2024
Observation date: May 30, 2024
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: May 05, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 07, 2024
Observation date: Apr 24, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 25, 2024
Observation date: Apr 22, 2024
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 24, 2024
Observation date: Apr 13, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Stillwater County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Apr 17, 2024
Observation date: Apr 03, 2024
Submitted by: JMM-Utah
Region: Utah County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Apr 07, 2024
Observation date: Mar 18, 2024
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 19, 2024
Observation date: Mar 14, 2024
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 15, 2024
Observation date: Jun 01, 2023
Submitted by: NatashaG
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Mar 01, 2024
Observation date: Aug 27, 2023
Submitted by: KABerry
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Dec 13, 2023
Observation date: Sep 12, 2023
Submitted by: rbuist
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Dec 09, 2023
Observation date: Oct 20, 2023
Submitted by: Yushi Wu
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 30, 2023
Observation date: Nov 17, 2023
Submitted by: mbfurr
Region: Harney County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 18, 2023
Observation date: May 26, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 13, 2023
Observation date: May 26, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 12, 2023
Observation date: May 27, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 12, 2023
Observation date: May 27, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 12, 2023
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