Are question mark butterflies rare?
Are question mark butterflies rare?
The question mark, Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius), is a common, medium-sized butterfly of wooded areas and suburbs that is often, but not always, associated with moist areas.
Why does a butterfly have a question mark?
As an adult butterfly, the question mark seeks out rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, or carrion as food sources. Only when these are unavailable do question marks visit flowers for nectar.
How do question mark butterflies overwinter?
Question mark butterflies overwinter as adults in the winter form. Some question mark butterflies will stay where they are at and hibernate in tree cracks, under peeling bark, or in wooden structures. These butterflies may be seen flying on warm winter days, especially in late winter and early spring.
Are question mark butterflies poisonous?
The spines are not venomous. There are two generations per year. The question mark actually gets its name from the silvery “question mark” in the middle of the hind wing of the adult butterfly.
How do you identify a question mark butterfly?
The Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) is a beautiful orange and black butterfly with sharply angled wing margins, and short tails-like projections. Underneath is a mottled brown color. It is similar to the Eastern Comma butterfly and the Hoary Comma.
How long do question mark butterflies live?
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Eastern US, Southeastern Canada; migrates to Western Colorado, Cuba, and Newfoundland |
| Lifespan of adults | 6-20 days |
| Host plants | American elm, Winged elm, Hackberry, Sugarberry, False nettle, stinging nettle |
| Adult diet | Tree sap, rotting fruit, carrion, dung, and flower nectar |
What does the question mark butterfly eat?
Question mark butterfly caterpillars feed on American elm, false nettle, hackberry, hops, stinging nettles, sugarberry, and other plants.
What butterfly has the same name as a punctuation mark?
A question mark butterfly feeds on the nectar of a purple horsemint plant. Note that the hindwings of this particular question mark are nearly black. This is the summer form. The question mark butterfly shares its name as a form of punctuation with another butterfly species, the eastern comma.
How big is a Red Admiral butterfly?
1 3/4 – 3 inches
Adult Red Admiral Butterflies have an open wingspan that ranges in size from 1 3/4 – 3 inches (4.5 – 7.6 cm). Their background coloring is black, with a striking orange to red colored stripes creating marginal bands on the fore and hind wings.
Are red admirals rare?
In some years this butterfly can be widespread and common, in others rather local and scarce. This is a widespread species and can be found anywhere in the British Isles, including Orkney and Shetland.