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Comma, Polygonia c-album

Wish Wood, Photo: John Bogle

Recorded sightings in 2009: 741

Recorded sightings in 2010: 423

Status in Rother: Common and widely distributed across Rother woodlands and scrub. As elsewhere, this butterfly enjoyed a remarkable expansion across the whole of Sussex between the world wars, perhaps due to a switch in the main larval foodplant (from Hop to Common Nettle).

Habitat: Open woodland and wood edges are the main habitats for both breeding and hibernation. Pre-hibernation individuals range more widely in search of nectar and rotting fruit, and are seen regularly in gardens and many other habitats. The most widely used foodplant is Common Nettle. Other food plant species used include Hop, elms, currants, and willows.

ID Tips: A rich orange. Our only butterfly with a naturally ragged wing edge. The white comma on the dark brown underside gives this butterfly its name.

First sighting in Rother (2009): 21 February
Recorded by: Gordon Jarvis

First sighting in Rother (2010): 15 March
Recorded by: Owen Johnson

UK Distribution trend: 37%

Ten year UK Population trend (1995-2004): 64%

Long term UK population trend: 305%