The hoary comma (''Polygonia gracilis'') is a species of

butterfly Butterflies are winged insects from the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea, characterized by large, often brightly coloured wings that often fold together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. The oldest butterfly fossi ...

, common in

boreal Boreal, northern, of the north. Derived from the name of the god of the north wind from Ancient Greek civilisation, Boreas (god), Boreas. It may also refer to: Climatology and geography *Boreal (age), the first climatic phase of the Blytt-Sernand ...

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

from Alaska, across southern Canada to New England and the Maritime Provinces and south to New Mexico from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The wings have a distinctive ragged edge. Adult butterflies feed on tree sap and nectar from sweet everlasting (''Gnaphalium'') as well as other flowers. Caterpillars feed on shrub leaves including currant (''Ribes''), western azalea (''Rhododendron occidentale'') and mock azalea (''Rhododendron menziesii''). The species survives the winter in the adult stage in

diapause In animal dormancy, diapause is the delay in development in response to regular and recurring periods of adverse environmental conditions.Tauber, M.J., Tauber, C.A., Masaki, S. (1986) ''Seasonal Adaptations of Insects''. Oxford University Press It ...

and mate and lay eggs in the spring. Butterflies emerge from their chrysalids in midsummer.

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Hoary Comma
Butterflies of Canada Nymphalini Butterflies of North America Butterflies described in 1867 Lepidoptera of the United States Lepidoptera of Canada {{Nymphalinae-stub