Community identification
Question Mark butterfly
Polygonia interrogationis
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae
- Size
- Wingspan of 2.25 to 3 inches (5.7 to 7.6 cm).
Natural Habitat
Wooded areas, city parks, and suburbs with deciduous trees.
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, carrion, and animal dung; larvae feed on hackberry, hops, and nettles.
Behavior Patterns
Migratory in the north; hibernates as an adult to emerge in early spring; known for its irregular, bark-like wing edges that provide camouflage when closed.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; serves as a pollinator and an indicator of ecosystem health.