Satyr Comma, Polygonia Satyrus

Day 197: Of the Polygonia species found in the Pacific Northwest, the Satyr Comma (P. satyrus) can be distinguished in the dorsal view from its very similar relative, the Green Comma (P. faunus) by the lack of yellow or yellow-green spots inside the margin of the hind wing. That said, the Commas are named for a small whitish figure which appears on the underside (ventral view) of the hind wing. In P. satyrus, this strongly resembles the comma of punctuation, a "head" with a "tail." In P. faunus, the marking is more L-shaped and angular. Both species fall into the category of "big orange butterfly," a safe simplication which makes them no less enjoyable in the field.