zoom_in Click to enlarge

Question Mark

▲ ▼

description Question Mark Overview

The Question Mark, scientifically known as Polygonia interrogationis, is a species of brush-footed butterfly found throughout eastern North America. It belongs to the anglewing family, recognized by its deeply irregular wing edges and bright orange uppersides marked with black spots. The insect derives its common name from the distinctive silver, curved marking on the mottled dark underside of its hindwings, which helps distinguish it from similar species like the Eastern Comma. Adults feed on tree sap, rotting fruit, and animal dung, while their larvae primarily consume leaves of hackberry and elm trees.

help Question Mark FAQ

Why is the Question Mark butterfly called that?

The butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis, is named for the small silver punctuation-shaped marking on the underside of its hindwings, which resembles a question mark complete with a dot. The mark's shape is the field feature that gives both this species and its relative the Eastern Comma their names.

Where can you find Question Mark butterflies?

The Question Mark is found throughout eastern North America, favoring wooded edges, parks, and streamsides. It is one of the anglewing butterflies, known for their deeply irregular wing edges and bright orange uppersides marked with black.

What do Question Mark caterpillars eat?

Caterpillars feed on host plants including elm, hackberry, and nettles. Adults have different tastes, often visiting tree sap, rotting fruit, and carrion rather than flowers.

How do you tell a Question Mark butterfly apart from an Eastern Comma?

The Question Mark is generally larger and shows a short extra dark bar near the forewing tip that the Eastern Comma lacks. On the underside, the Question Mark's silver marking includes a dot forming the "question," while the Comma's namesake mark has no dot.

swap_horiz

Looking for Question Mark alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward