(Cramer, 1775)
Southern Comma
Description:
The Southern Comma is a species of dry grasslands and dry scrub. The major food plant is Common Pellitory (Parietaria officinalis), a plant that often grows on old walls, so that these butterflies are often found near buildings. They can often be seen, wings widespread, basking in the sun on walls and rocks, or on the ground. The caterpillars probably also feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), willows (Salix spp.), and elms (Ulmus spp.).
The Southern Comma has two to three generations a year, and just as the ordinary Comma (P. c-album), hibernates as an adult butterfly. It can therefore be seen early in the spring.
Habitat:
Dry calcareous grasslands
Phrygana vegetation
Sclerophyllous scrub
Similar species:
Aglais urticae
Polygonia c-album