Question Mark

Polygonia interrogationis, commonly called the question mark butterfly, is a North American nymphalid butterfly. It lives in wooded areas, city parks, generally in areas with a combination of trees and open space. The color and textured appearance of the underside of its wings combine to provide camouflage that resembles a dead leaf. The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 4.5–7.6 cm (1.8–3.0 in). Its flight period is from May to September. "The silver mark on the underside of the hindwing is broken into two parts, a curved line and a dot, creating a ?-shaped mark that gives the species its common name." Scientific Name: Polygonia interrogationis Range: Eastern North America Size: Wingspan 4.5–7.5 cm Status: Common ID Notes: Orange-brown with ragged wing edges. Hindwing underside has a tiny silver mark shaped like a '?' — hence the name. Behavior / Notes: Overwinters as adult. Often basks on tree trunks. Caterpillars feed on elm, nettle, hops.