Insect · GBIF taxon 5129451
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationisQuestion Mark butterflies display striking seasonal variation, with summer adults sporting dark, near-black hindwings while overwintering generations feature bright orange hindwings with violet tails. Rather than feeding primarily on flower nectar, adults sip nutrient-rich liquids from sap flows, decaying fruit, animal dung, and damp soil along woodland paths. When perched with closed wings, their ragged edges and mottled brown undersides mimic a dry leaf, concealing them from foraging birds.
WoodlandCamouflagedBrush-footed
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree sap
- Rotting fruit
- Elm and nettle leaves
Predators
- Songbirds
- Spiders
- Mantises
ThreatsDeforestation, heavy pesticide applications, and extreme winter temperatures
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, forest edges, river bottoms, city parks, and suburban gardens
Life spanUp to 10 months (for adults that overwinter)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNymphalidae
- GenusPolygonia
- SpeciesPolygonia interrogationis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look along sunny forest edges and damp trails where adults bask on trunks or mud.
- Attracting: Place fermenting fruit slices like overripe bananas or peaches in a shaded tray.
- Identification: Check the silver marking on the hindwing underside for a distinct separate dot.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Gilles San Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Gilles San Martin · cc-by-sa
Overwintering Companion Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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