The angular edges of the wings, combined with the bark-like appearance of the underside of the wings, allow these butterflies to practically disappear when they land on a tree. The Hoary Comma can be found from Alaska to New Mexico in the west, across Canada, and to New England in the east. Like our other commas, tortoiseshells, and our state butterfly (the Mourning Cloak), the adults we see from July to October overwinter. They are the first butterflies we see on the wing once warmer weather returns …sometimes emerging on unusually warm days as early as March.
Size: Wingspan 1 1/2 – 2 1/4 inches (3.9 – 5.7 cm)
Photo by: Gage Poore on 7/4/22 near Missoula, MT