Red admiral vs Comma butterfly
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a red admiral from a comma butterfly, and whether either one bites or stings.
Red admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Comma butterfly
Polygonia c-album
≠The key differences
The comma has ragged, scalloped wing edges, orange upperwings without a red band, and a characteristic small white C-shaped mark on the underside, unlike the smoother-edged red admiral.
⚖︎Side by side
| Red admiral | Comma butterfly | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | Wingspan about 50-70 mm | 45-60 mm wingspan |
| Colours | Black, Red-orange, White, Brown (underside) | Orange, Dark brown, Pale brown (underside dead-leaf), White (C-mark) |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, gardens, parks, hedgerows and edges of fields; also urban areas where nectar sources and nettles occur. | Woodland edges, hedgerows, scrub, gardens, parks and other semi-open habitats with host plants and sunny perches. |
| Range | Widespread across temperate Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America; migratory populations expand seasonally. | Widespread across Europe and North Africa, east through temperate Asia to Japan; distribution and abundance vary with climate and local habitat. |
| Active | Spring to autumn in temperate zones; adults are diurnal and most active during warm, sunny days. | Mainly spring to autumn; adults fly on sunny days and hibernate over winter as adults. |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a red admiral
- Black wings with a bright red-orange transverse band across fore- and hindwings.
- White spots on the black forewing tips (apical area).
- Mottled brown underside of hindwing that looks cryptic when wings are closed.
- Wingspan about 50-70 mm; strong, fast flight and often seen sunning or defending perches.
🔍How to spot a comma butterfly
- Look for the small white C-shaped mark on the underside of the hindwing - the key field mark.
- Deeply scalloped, ragged wing margins giving an 'anglewing' outline.
- Upperwings orange-brown with darker mottling; underside cryptic brown resembling a dead leaf.
- When at rest with wings closed, silhouette and leaf-like underside help separate it from more rounded butterflies.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a red admiral and a comma butterfly?
The comma has ragged, scalloped wing edges, orange upperwings without a red band, and a characteristic small white C-shaped mark on the underside, unlike the smoother-edged red admiral.
Is a red admiral or a comma butterfly more dangerous?
Red admiral: Non-toxic. Comma butterfly: Non-toxic. Red admirals do not bite or sting and are not poisonous. Harmless to people.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.