Comma Butterfly

October 05, 2018

Comma_C8160F2A-5E4E-4217-9F6F-80150D49FE5F (1)

Photographer: Leonie McCathie 
Summary Authors: Leonie McCathie; Jim Foster

During my morning walks in a newly created wildflower meadow near Swindon, England, I photograph butterflies and bees. This picture shows the comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album). It's native to Europe, Africa Asia and also to parts of North America. The dog rose (Rosa canina) it's feeding on here is also native to Europe. However, during its caterpillar stage, the comma seems to favors a flowering stinging nettle known as urticaria dioica. Comma butterfly populations were declining in the United Kingdom during the 20th century, but its population has rebounded in recent decades -- it's now widespread in southern and central England. Photo taken on July 19, 2018.

Photo Details: Camera: Apple iPhone 7; Exposure Time: 0.0015s (1/684); Aperture: ƒ/1.8; ISO equivalent: 20; Focal Length (35mm): 28.