Species Profile: Polygonia (Anglewings)

With a few reports of anglewings appearing on sunny days around our region lately, I thought it a good time to talk about these rustic beauties. We have four species in the Pacific Northwest: Satyr, Oreas, Hoary, and Green. They are also often referred to as "commas", a reference to the silvery white comma marking on the underside of the otherwise gray or brown hindwing. The lighter orange Satyr Anglwing and darker Green Comma are the most common across our region, with the Hoary Comma not far behind but more restricted to the mountains. The Oreas Anglewing is widespread but very uncommon and often pops up only in ones or twos mixed with the other anglewings. It is one of the few butterfly species I have yet to personally see in the Pacific Northwest!

Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus)

Wingspan: 45 to 51 mm

Male: golden orange with black spots, dark brown to rusty wing margin, HW margin has row of diffuse yellow spots. Ventral wings have bands in shades of brown with dark striations running parallel to the body. White comma on VHW.

Female: wings less angular and lighter in color, ventral pattern much less distinct.

Egg: light green.

Larva: brown and black with white patches in early instars, mostly cream with black and light yellow markings in final instar. All instars covered with sets of spines.

Pupa: yellowish gold or reddish brown with three pairs of silver spots.
Larval host: stinging nettle.

Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) final instar larva on stinging nettle.

Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) chrysalis.

Oreas Anglewing (Polygonia oreas)

Wingspan: 40 to 50 mm

Male: rusty orange and gold with black spots, dark brown wing margin with row of bright yellow spots. Ventral is variegated in contrasting shades of dark brown and black. White comma on VHW.

Female: slightly lighter dorsal and ventral colors and less-distinct ventral mottling.

Egg: green.

Larva: first two instars are brown and pale beige with black hairs and spines. Last three instars are mostly black with thin, white or yellowish bands around each segment and covered with rows of yellow-orange spines.

Pupa: mottled reddish brown, white and gray, with three pairs of silver spots.
Larval host: currants (Ribes), primarily swamp currant (R. viscosissimum).

Hoary Comma/Anglewing (Polygonia gracilis)

Wingspan: 35 to 51 mm

Male: rusty orange with black spots, indistinct dark brown wing margin with row of bright yellow spots. Ventral wings are variegated in contrasting shades of gray with with a submarginal row of greenish yellow spots. White comma on VHW.

Female: slightly lighter dorsal and ventral colors.

Egg: green.

Larva: mostly black, finely marked with white, yellow, brown and orange and covered with rows of black and yellowish to reddish spines.

Pupa: mottled tan, dark brown, gray and black, with three pairs of silver spots.
Larval host: mostly currants (Ribes), sometimes elm (Ulmus) and Cascade azalea (Rhododendron albiflorum).

Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) final instar larva on Cascade azalea.

Green Comma/Anglewing (Polygonia faunus)

Wingspan: 45 to 51 mm

Male: deep rusty orange with black spots, wide dark brown wing margin with row of yellow spots. Ventral wings are variegated in shades of gray and brown with two submarginal rows of teal-green spots. White comma on VHW.

Female: wings less angular and lighter in color, ventral pattern is less distinct.

Egg: green.

Larva: mostly black covered with white or lavender markings and rows of yellowish spines, developing orange markings in later instars.

Pupa: purplish tan with light and dark markings.
Larval host: Salicaceae (willow, alder, birch, aspen).