# Question Mark (*Polygonia interrogationis*) The Question Mark butterfly is a colorful insect with a unique shape. It has orange and brown wings with a special mark that looks like a question mark on the underside. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 59 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Question Mark Butterfly ![Question Mark](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Question_Mark_Polygonia_interrogationis_Wings_3008px.jpg&width=800) Photo: Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_Mark_Polygonia_interrogationis_Wings_3008px.jpg) ## Appearance The Question Mark is a medium-sized butterfly with deeply jagged, irregular wing edges. Its upper wings are orange-brown with dark spots, while the undersides are dull brown, resembling dead leaves. A distinctive silver comma-shaped mark, sometimes broken, on the underside of its hindwing gives it its name. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Polygonia ## Interesting facts - Wow! Its ragged wing edges make it look exactly like a torn, brown leaf! - Wow! The tiny silver symbol on its underwing really looks like a question mark! - Wow! They love to drink juice from mushy, rotting fruit! - Wow! This butterfly can hibernate through winter as a grown-up! ## Special abilities - **Leaf Mimicry:** Question Mark has jagged wings and dull undersides that help them blend perfectly with dead leaves or tree bark. - **Winter Hibernation:** Question Mark can survive cold winters by hibernating as an adult, allowing them to emerge early in spring. - **Opportunistic Feeder:** Question Mark can sip tree sap and rotting fruit, providing them with essential sugars when nectar is scarce. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-76 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-240 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip tree sap and rotting fruit, while caterpillars munch on plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat leaves of host plants, while adults primarily feed on tree sap and rotting fruit. - **Primary Foods:** Tree sap, Rotting fruit, Flower nectar, Elm leaves, Hackberry leaves, Nettle leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Elm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-elm) (*Ulmus americana*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves as a primary host. - **Eats:** [Common Hackberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-hackberry) (*Celtis occidentalis*) — Another important host plant for its caterpillars. - **Eats:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — Caterpillars also consume its foliage. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — A common bird that preys on adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Question Mark? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Question Mark's wingspan? 45-76 mm ### How big is Question Mark? 20-30 mm ### How long does Question Mark live? 30-240 days ### How fast can Question Mark fly? 15 km/h ### What does Question Mark eat? Adults sip tree sap and rotting fruit, while caterpillars munch on plant leaves. ### Where is Question Mark usually found? Forests ### How does Question Mark hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Camp Evans](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-evans) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Central Park West Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-park-west-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Charlotte Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlotte-street-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District [View all places to see Question Mark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/question-mark) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Question Mark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/question-mark)