Question Mark
Place name abbreviations: MPEA – Middle Patuxent Environment Area; PRSP – Patuxent River State Park; PVSP – Patapsco River Valley State Park.
Click on the common name to obtain additional information from the Butterflies and Moths of North America web page and the following common name for additional information from USGS web page. BugGuide is another web resource.
| Common name [Link is to BAMONA] (wingspan range in inches) Common name [link is to USGS] |
Occurrence level & flight period. | |
| Habitat. | Typically visits (for nectaring). | Larval host plants. |
| Question Mark (2.25–3″) Question Mark |
Uncommon: Apr, Jun & E-Sep | Woods, roads | Rotting fruit & sap | Nettles, elm, hackberry | |
April 10, 2019
Mount Pleasant
Kevin Heffernan
The photo shows the “question mark” on the ventral HW and the white edge to the forewing just above the head. The extra spot on the dorsal FW is visible due to the lighting.
July 19, 2003
MPEA
Cheryl Farfaras
Notice smoother wing margin and elongate tail (compared with Eastern Comma).
A few individuals will not have a question mark on the outer hind wing.
Female
September 11, 2015
Lake Kittamaqundi
Clayton Koonce
Here is the cycle from caterpillar to pupa to emerged adult—unfortunately, killed by a spider.
September 4-16, 2013. South Trotter Road, Wes Earp
Caterpillar
Pupa
Pupa (w/ cast skin)
Dead adult (top)
Dead Adult (bottom)
The phenograms show the maximum number of individual butterflies of this species seen in the first eight years of the Howard County Butterfly Survey. From these graphs, one can see the number of broods of each species, when they are active, and the relative abundance of the species in each brood. The observed early and late dates are shown below The graphs can be used to anticipate the first sighting of a given species in the year and can help with identification.
Early: 3/4/2017 Late: 10/30/2018