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Arboretum: Eastern Comma and Pigeon Tremex

I saw a few moths, butterflies, and wasps at the Arboretum last week. An eastern comma butterfly (Polygonia comma) rested on a leaf in the shrub and vine garden. It is named for the bright white comma, swollen at both ends, on its wing. I think it looks more like a crescent moon than a comma.

Eastern comma butterfly with wings closed
Eastern comma butterfly

The wings look drab until they open, revealing a rich orange with black spots. This is the winter form of this butterfly, with its hind wings more orange than black.

Eastern comma butterfly opening its wings
Eastern comma butterfly

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