Life Cycle of the Comma
Ovum:
The green spherical egg measures c. 0.8 mm high and is laid singly,
usually at the edge of the upperside
of a leaf of the foodplant. It hatches in c.17 days.
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©
Deirdre Hardiman |
Larva:
The young larva lives and feeds on the under surface of the
leaf but, later on, feeds on the upper surface where
it resembles a bird dropping.
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©
Deirdre Hardiman |
Pupa:
The pupa is suspended from a silk pad, sometimes spun on the
foodplant but more often concealed deep
among vegetation. This stage lasts c.15 days, depending on
the temperature, after which the adult emerges.
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©
Deirdre Hardiman |
Adult:
After emerging, the adults are seen on the wing in spring after overwintering
and the later summer
generation is seen during July and August. These
go on to hibernate under suitable conditions
emerging the following spring. Some of the individual seen during the
season are likely to be newly arrived migrants.
The Comma is easily identifiable by the ragged outline of it wings
and the white "C" shape on the underside
of each hindwing.
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