Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
Photo by George B2
Summary
This lovely orange and black butterfly with sharply angled wings is named for the metallic, curved line -and- dot combo on its underwing. The question mark is generally considered a short-distance migrant in Pennsylvania. Most will travel to southern counties to pass the cold months in various shelters, perhaps tucked away underneath loose tree bark or under the eaves of an outbuilding. (However, adults have occasionally been spotted in wintertime at the SBG!) Caterpillars munch the leaves of elm, hackberry and nettles, but the adult butterfly isn’t that interested in nectar. Instead, the question mark has a more complex palate, seeking out rotting fruit, tree sap, carrion or dung . Only when these are unavailable do question marks visit flowers such as milkweeds or asters for nectar.
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FAMILY
Nymphalidae (Brushfoots)
IDENTIFICATION
Average wingspan 2-2.5 inches. Angular wing shape, silver punctuation mark inspires its name. Upperside hindwing of summer form is mostly black with a short tail; that of winter form has much orange and a longer, violet-tipped tail.
HABITAT
Woodland openings and edges.
LIFE CYCLE
Females lay eggs singly or stacked under leaves of plants that are usually not the hosts. Caterpillars must find a host plant. The caterpillar creates a pad of pink silk to anchor its chrysalis to a leaf or stem. Adults of the winter form hibernate; some staying in the north, many migrating to the south.
HOST PLANTS
Hackberry (Celtis), elms (Ulmus), and nettle (Urtica).
Ecosystem Connections
The caterpillars are herbivores that graze on vegetation, with spines that help ward off potential predators. The adult butterfly, like many of its relatives, has a well-camouflaged underside which helps conceal it from predators. All stages of the life cycle provide food for other members of the food web.
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