Question Mark?

The unique Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) butterfly is certainly one of the more interestingly shaped Florida butterflies. The tattered and odd shaped wing edges help the profile of this butterfly appear very similar to a dead leaf. The undersides of the Question Mark’s wings are a mottle of grey and brown that helps this species blend into leaf litter and tree bark, seemingly disappearing each time it stops and folds its wings. This coloring is especially helpful when butterflies of this species stop to drink the sap from wounded trees and plants. Question Mark adults can also be found feeding on rotting fruit, carrion and dung and only visit flowers when these food sources are not available.

The common name of this butterfly derives from the curious white marking on the underside of the hind wing that is shaped a great deal much like a “?”. Other members of the Polygonia genus have markings that look like a comma and generally have common names that include the word ‘Comma’ in the name.

Question Mark’s lay their eggs on a selection of elms including American elm (Ulmus americanus), red elm (Ulmus rubra) and winged elm (Ulmus alata). They can also be found feeding on hackberry (Celtis), Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus), nettles (Urtica) and false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica).

Photo credit: Patty Wilson