Summary ⁵

The Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) is a North American nymphalid butterfly. They live in wooded areas and city parks, or generally in areas which feature trees and free spaces. The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 4.5–7.6 cm (1.8–3.0 in). Its flight period is from May to September. "The silver mark on the underside of the hindwing is broken into two parts, a curved line and a dot, creating a ?-shaped mark that gives the species its common name."

General description ⁶

The large size (wingspan 45 to 68 mm), long, thin tails and violet edging to the wings easily distinguish the Question Mark from other Polygonia in the province.

Distribution ⁷

Primarily a species of the eastern and central US, reaching southern Canada from Newfoundland to southeastern Saskatchewan (Scott 1986, Layberry et al. 1998). The sole Alberta record is from a specimen collected on 14 May 1978 at Joy Mountain, Blackfoot Hills, 12 mi. SSW of Lloydminster by J. Smith (Kondla 1998).     Blackfoot Hills near Lloydminster (Layberry et al. 1998).

Habitat ⁸

Usually found near woodlands; only one Alberta record, near Lloydminster.

Migration ⁹

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Flowering plants visited by polygonia interrogationis in illinois ¹⁰

Polygonia interrogationis Fabricius: Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera
(observations are from Robertson; this is the Question Mark butterfly)

Asclepiadaceae: Asclepias syriaca plpr sn; Asteraceae: Silphium perfoliatum sn (Rb); Rosaceae: Crataegus mollis sn (Rb)
Insect activities:
sn = sucks nectar

Scientific observers:
(Rb) = Charles Robertson

Behaviour ¹¹

Adults feed on sap, fruit, mud and carrion, rarely flowers. Males perch for females (Scott, 1986).

Conservation status ¹²

Conservation status unknown.

Threats ¹³

Degree of Threat: D : Unthreatened throughout its range, communities may be threatened in minor portions of the range or degree of variation falls within natural variation

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Kent McFarland, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/32750264@N02/6156981502
2. (c) Patrick Coin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4963205531_c38dec6746.jpg
3. (c) Kent McFarland, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5769470851_966d6a1d3d.jpg
4. (c) Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/specimen_images/ent-lepidoptera/images/2011_12_05/IMG_108404.JPG
5. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonia_interrogationis
6. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31888612
7. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31888611
8. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31888613
9. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28753214
10. (c) John Hilty, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/32697762
11. (c) Leslie Ries, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/20605125
12. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31888609
13. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28753208

More Info

• iNaturalist.ca taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

Range Map

(c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)

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