Pic 1: This perching Comma is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a female. There were plenty of Tortoiseshells to contend with but this plucky little fellow wasn’t ready to give-up his territory without a good fight. Adult Commas can be seen at almost any time from March to late October although April appears to be a particularly favourable month. This  particular male was captured near the edge of a wood in Cosmeston, Vale of Glamorgan. They seem to feed first thing in the morning and then again in the late afternoon, but otherwise spend most of the day looking for mates. This Comma is establishing a separate territory in a sunny spot on the edge of the wood.

Pic 2: This adult may not appear to be particularly well camouflaged against the blue sky, but imagine how effective his shape and colour would be when resting on the bark of a trunk or amongst leaf litter.  Indeed, with wings closed this butterfly offers one of the finest examples of camouflage found amongst British butterflies.  Its ragged outline and the marbled pattern of grey, tan and brown, with the occaisional green-like speckles, combine perfectly to resemble a dead oak leaf. Notice the white, comma-like mark that has given this species its name.

Pic 3: This male is perched on a good vantage point, poised a meter or two up on a prominent branch, leaning forwards with open wings.  He intercepts any passer-by with a swift flight, achieving high speed with no more than a rapid whirring of wings, punctuated by swooping glides. He soon overtakes and loops around the intruder. After a thorough investigation, the male either returns to his perch, or if it is a female, gives chase.

Pic 4: This particular male is establishing his territory near the ground. Typical territories are situated beneath the sunny edges of a wood or tall hedge and are usually near a roost site.

Pic 5: This male was captured near the edge of a wood in Cosmeston, Vale of Glamorgan. They seem to feed first thing in the morning and then again in the late afternoon, but otherwise spend most of the day looking for mates. This Comma is establishing a separate territory in a sunny spot on the edge of the wood.

Butterfly Conservation – Comma