Thanks Sherry. I have been working on identifying these for surveys. Plus I want to obtain some for the house. They do really well in captivity vs. some of the other species. Besides size, I think one of the differences is that QMs have a distinct tail, whereas the commas have more of a bump?
-Elisabeth

Yes, QMs have a longer tail as opposed to the comma bump, Elisabeth, but it would be hard to see in the field. Size difference is the most noticeable difference.
Sherry

The QMs tend to have a purplish sheen; if seen, that's good evidence for QM, but absence is not determinative.

Jeff

...especially when half the time the QMs are missing the "." at the bottom of the crescent/comma. I've always thought the Commas were a bit more dull in coloration than QMs. My Oklahoma book distinguishes the Comma from the QM by the Comma's truncated forewing tips.. There is also a black subapical mark on the QM forewing upperside that the Comma apparently does not have.

Lovely photos Miss Sherry, as always.

Susan

Gaaaak, I didn't know they could be missing the "."! Oh boy! Yeeesh, and here I thought I was beginning to get a handle on some of the skippers....
-Elisabeth

I know; just when I think I've gained some insight! I think they do this simply to keep us humble, LOL!

Susan, my memory is also that the QM has a black mark that the Commas lack -- but when I looked at reference pics here:

http://www.insectsofiowa.com/butterflies/nymphalidae_nymphalinae.htm

some of the pics showed it and some did not, so I took that part out of the post above.

I'll keep looking.

Jeff