Question Mark

The question mark butterfly is a true brushfoot butterfly. They are a part of the Genus Polygonia which is more commonly called the comma or punctuation mark butterflies. That is because each species of the Polygonia Genus has a conspicuous white or silver mark on the underside of the hind wing that resembles a punctuation mark. The mark on the question mark butterfly is broken into two parts, an arc and a dot, which makes it appear like a question mark. Question marks are found through out the eastern United States and into northeastern Canada. They usually feed on things such as dung, rotten fruit, tree sap and carrion but will drink nectar, as in the photo above, if their usual foods are not available. They are usually seen from late May to September but may be seen earlier or later in some of the warmer portions of their range.