The Comma Butterflies
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Member species all have a distinct comma mark in the middle of the backside of the wing.
Comma butterflies are members of the brush-footed butterfly family and part of the genus Polygonia.
Species names usually include the name "comma" in them. The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis) is also a member.
Commas fall into the perching butterfly category. Males perch on a sunny branch, or even in the middle of a sunny dirt road, in order to survey the territory for females.
They tend to stay in one spot for lengthy periods of time, making them excellent photographic subjects.
General field identification begins by looking at a side view. They often fold their wings for protection. It makes them looks like a leave.
You can clearly see the white common on the side view of the Satyr Comma in the picture.
Because side views of comma butterflies look similar, species identification often begins by examining the wing pattern.
You distinguish among species by comparing the number and shape of the black marks on the orange upperside. The Green Comma pictured above is often identified by the thick black border skirting the lower portion of the wings.