Size: Up to 2 inch wingspan

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Key ID features:  Above orange with black blotches and spots, often with very jagged wing edges. FW above has yellow patches adjacent to dark marginal band. HW above has submarginal row of yellow/orange crescent-shaped chevrons within brown to black marginal band. Below dark chocolate or dark gray to black, with lighter gray striations, and prominent white flattened "v" with no hooks (usually pointed at the bottom, often looking like a gull in flight), in center of HW.

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Similar species: Darker below than other comma species, white "v" mark on HW below lacks barbs. Other comma species either have stronger green submarginal shading below or the "comma" mark on HW below is curved (not a pointed "v") or barbed or both. Other commas species have less jagged wing edges, often looking smooth between major points.

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Host plant: Currant species (Ribes), including R. divericatum (straggly gooseberry), and R. lacustre (swamp gooseberry).

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Habitat: Forest fringes, especially in older stands, riparian areas and ravines, subalpine meadows. 

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Range: Coast Range, Willamette Valley, Western Cascades, east slope of Cascades, Wallowa Mtns, Blue Mtns.

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Season: Late February to mid-September

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Abundance: Uncommon 

 

Conservation Status: Secure