Tink has a way of making me think even when I don't want to learn anymore so I did a little research and found this:
Green CommaPolygonia faunus
This Green Comma was seen at near sea level, along the Turnagain Arm Trail south of Anchorage, on August 1, 2003. It was flying alone, and nectaring on a native plant called fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium. It was found in a sloped meadow next to a mixed forest, with a stream. This is a long-lived species that overwinters as an adult and breeds early in the spring. The caterpillars live on willows, aspen, birches, etc. It ranges across most of northern USA and Canada, and down the Rocky Mountains to Arizona.
Their photo...
My photo...
Pretty close, but I still wondered. Well, I looked at a lot of photos of the green comma and found they all didn't look identical. So either this could be a green comma or a whole lot of people are identifying their butterfly/moths incorrectly. I also couldn't find any orange and black moths that looked anything close to this.
Anyhow, after too much time spent I'm going to conclude this is indeed a butterfly (until a butterfly expert tells me differently). I also read that butterflies have clubs on their antennae and moths don't. I think this one has clubs. Have you ever looked up close at moth photos? They are scary. I feel better thinking I have a beautiful butterfly in my house!
3 comments:
I think you found the correct one. :-) Very pretty!
Looks right to me.
Where are you keeping him? Did you run right out and cut some aspen and birch for him? What's he eating? Why is he called a green comma? Did you find a comma on him? Was it green? Will I ever shut up and stop asking questions?
;)
Tink *~*~*
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