Lepidoptera Gallery
Butterflies
Butterfly and Moth Image Gallery
: Butterflies
Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark)
The Question Mark is named for the tiny pair of silver marks on the underside of each handwing that resembles a question mark. The wingspan is from 2.4 to 3 inches. The uppersides of the wings in both sexes feature orange forewings with black spots, darker tailed hindwings tinged with purple. The undersides are textured like dead leaves. The margins of the wings have convoluted curves.
This species lives in forests and parks. The host plants for the larvae include nettles, hops, elm, hackberry, and basswood trees. The first annual generation flies in June; the second generation may appear from August to October. The fall generation overwinters in crevices of trees. Adults eat sap, carrion, feces, and ripe fruit.
Collection of the Illinois State Museum
Photographed by Dr. Everett Cashatt
Accession #:
Butterfly and Moth Image Gallery
: Butterflies
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