Question Mark (Butterflies of Alabama)

Question Mark

Polygonia interrogationis

Summary ⁷

The Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) is a North American nymphalid butterfly. They live in wooded areas and city parks, or generally in areas which feature trees and free spaces. 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."

North american ecology (us and canada) ⁸

In North America Polygonia interrogationis is a resident of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada (Scott 1986), and is somewhat migratory to western Colorado, Newfoundland and Cuba. Habitats are woodlands and suburbs, from subtropical regions to transition zone. Host plants are usually trees, vines and herbs from closely related families Ulmaceae, Moraceae, and Urticaceae. Eggs are laid on the host plant singly. Individuals overwinter as X. There are variable numbers of flights each year based on latitude; in the north there are two flights occurring June 15-early Aug and late Aug., and in the southern part of the range there are three or four flights occurring May1-June 30, July1-30, and Sept.1-30 (Scott 1986).