Comma Butterfly vs Southern Dogface

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Comma Butterfly Southern Dogface
Scientific Name Polygonia c-album Zerene cesonia
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Pieridae
Size 44-48 mm wingspan 46-64 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Heathland
Diet Sap Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, North Africa, Asia North America, Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Comma Butterfly

Orange butterfly with ragged wing edges and a small white comma-shaped mark on the underside. The irregular outline mimics a dead leaf.

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Did You Know?

Its range has expanded northward in Britain over recent decades, likely due to climate warming.

Southern Dogface

Yellow butterfly with a pointed forewing showing a poodle-dog-face pattern in black. Males have a warm orange flush on the upper wing surface.

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Did You Know?

The forewing markings form a recognizable dog face profile when the wings are spread open.