Hoary Comma
Polygonia gracilis
Description 1 3/8-1 5/8" (35-41 mm). Relatively small. Wing margins very ragged; tails quite prominent. Dark rust-colored above with
black spots and very heavy dark border; lined with light spots on inner edge. Below strikingly 2-toned: inner half dark gray-brown and striated; outer half frosty-white or hoary, darkening toward edges. Silver comma on HW below tapered at both ends.
Similar Species No other anglewing has hoary outer part below.
Life Cycle Unreported. Adults overwinter.
Flight 1 brood; July well into autumn, emerging again in spring.
Habitat Forests, clearings, and rivers; also granite balds and mountain summits in Northeast.
Range Alaska and Yukon east across n. Canada, south to Great Lakes, n. New England, and Adirondacks.
Discussion The relatively diminutive Hoary Comma has a vast northern range but it appears rarely and in small numbers. Only in the northeastern states does it occur somewhat regularly yet, even in Maine, it can be entirely absent for years. This little species is less fleet than other anglewings except for the Gray Comma.
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