Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)

	Question Marks are often seen puddling, lapping up sap, and frequenting road kill. They sometimes have a taste for sweat, too, though Hackberry Emperor wins the prize for that. Orange Co., NC 5/19/04.
	Columbus Co., NC 7/19/03.
	Pitt Co., NC 8/18/02.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.
	Quite similar to the Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), identification is difficult until they land. They can be told from the top by an elongate spot, which I think of as forming a "boot". I guess this is a Question Mark. Not a typical example, however, with the diagnosic spot paler than normal and not as elongate. Durham Co., NC 11/3/02.
	This is what they look like with a little more wear. Botetourt Co., VA 4/19/05.
	The true mark of a great pair of butterfly binoculars! Orange Co., NC 5/19/04.

Fall individuals are patterned and colored to look like autumn leaves.

Chatham Co., NC 9/30/07.

Revised 1/23/08 cwcook@duke.edu