Comma Butterfly

Polygonia c-album - Comma

• A regular visitor to my garden

• Caterpillars will feed on Hops and Nettles, but also Currants, Elms and Willows

• Scalloped wings conceal it amongst dead leaves

• Larvae look like bird droppings

• Flexible life cycle allows it to capitalise on favourable weather

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Verbena bonariensis - Purple Top

• Non-native

• South American

• Tall herbaceous perennial

• Erect branching stems up to 2m high

• Numerous clusters of Small, Lilac-purple flowers

• Flowers Summer into Autumn

• Excellent for pollinators

Blackberrying Butterflies

We tend to think of butterflies as nectar drinkers, but in fact their diet varies significantly by speces, and also by season. At this time of year as the blackberries ripen on brambles, many species especially hibernating Nymph butterflies like this Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album are as partial to a bit of blackberrying as you or I!