Interactive Butterfly CD
Butterflies of the
Carolinas & Virginias

Question Mark,
Polygonia interrogationis

Size: Wingspan is 2 3/8 to 2 5/8 inches.

Similar Species:
Eastern Comma

Habitat: Woodlands, roadsides and adjacent open areas.

Abundance: Fairly common in most of the state. Scarce in the lower coastal plain areas.

Flight Period: All year as it over winters as an adult. Found only in winter during warming spells.

Comments: All of these photos were taken in my yard during August 2000 in Orange County, NC. My sap tree and rotten fruit tamed these Question Marks down enough to allow these photos. This species can be quite variable and hard at times to tell between Question Mark and Eastern Comma. Notice the shape of a question mark in the middle of the hindwing seen from the side.

"Black" form
Complete slide view slide # 10419

Home

Butterflies

"Orange" form
Complete slide view slide # 10417