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Photo#2048191
not California Tortoiseshell but Satyr Anglewing? - Polygonia satyrus
Copyright © 2021 Bob OBrien

not California Tortoiseshell but Satyr Anglewing? - Polygonia satyrus

Carver, Clackamas County, Oregon, USA
October 6, 2021
This butterfly was encountered in 6" grass, struggling/floundering. Note split wings. It flew up a little then crashed back into the grass at any odd angle. After several rounds of this it righted itself as shown in ventral view. I thought it was 'dying' but after 3-4 minutes in this position (resting?) it flew up to about 15 feet and departed?
Based upon Pyle & LaBar Butterflies of the Pacific NW, 2018 and 'their associated webpage' this individual appears to have a 'strong' DHW (dorsal hind wing) triangular spot. Not at all sure I'm interpreting this triangular spot correctly though.

Images of this individual: tag all
not California Tortoiseshell but Satyr Anglewing? - Polygonia satyrus California Tortoiseshell - Polygonia satyrus
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Contributed by Bob OBrien on 6 October, 2021 - 9:01pm
Last updated 15 November, 2023 - 8:37pm

Comments

Moved
The inner/trailing edges of the forewings in tortoiseshells are not concavely curved as they are in this individual and in other Anglewings and Commas.
As you have noted there is a "comma" which eliminates some of the possibilities.

So out of the possibilities, Tortoiseshells - Nymphalis, and Ladies - Vanessa are eliminated leaving Anglewings and Commas - Polygonia.

Also, the shape of the "comma" can often offer a clue as to species.
This "comma" is curved and fairly barbed at both ends. This tends to eliminate oreas, gracilis and faunus. We then can just use some of the more vague clues to reinforce the elimination of these species.

This individual does have a triangular black spot in the DHW cell, which tends to eliminate P. gracilis.

Moved from Butterflies and Skippers.
… R, 30 January, 2022 - 9:24am login or register to post comments

Probably genus Polygonia beca
Probably genus Polygonia because of the forewing pattern and large silver mark on the underside, the split in the wings is the separation between the forewings and hindwings, which is normal. Based on the amount of dew, I assume it was rather cool. As cold blooded animals, butterflies tend to be slower and clumsier when cool.
… Hexapoda, 6 October, 2021 - 9:15pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks once again hexapoda
I just found that there are four Commas found in Oregon and tomorrow hope to pin it down. That is if someone doesn't beat me to it. High school students rule. Fortunately.
… Bob OBrien, 6 October, 2021 - 11:36pm login or register to post comments

 
Morning dew.
You are correct in your assumption that it was cold last night and that the warm sun had recently hit this area. So indeed it is likely that the butterfly was just warming up. Of course the question then being, why was it down in the grass to begin with?
… Bob OBrien, 6 October, 2021 - 11:41pm login or register to post comments

 
Silver mark
I did notice this mark and clearly should have paid more attention to it. But I'm still a learner here. Luckily there are a few high school students out there to keep me in line.
… Bob OBrien, 6 October, 2021 - 11:47pm login or register to post comments

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