Size:
Wingspan is
2 3/8 - 2 5/8 inches.
Similar Species:
Eastern Comma
Habitat:
Woodlands, roadsides, stream banks, orchards and adjacent open areas.
Range/Abundance:
Common in most of
the region. Uncommon in the coastal plain areas and higher elevations
in the mountains.
Flight Period:
All year in the region because it overwinters as an adult. In winter,
it is found only during warming spells. Usually most active during spring
and fall.
Larval Host Plants:
Elm Ulmus spp., hackberry Celtis spp., False Nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica and nettles Urtica spp.
Comments:
Question Marks are very fast fliers. They tend to keep territories that
they defend often with attacks to anyone or anything that passes. Afterward
they will return to the same perch most of the time.
Question Marks will readily visit dung, tree sap and rotting fruit. Often found at fruit trees when rotten fruits are present. They also visit compost piles, puddles and fruit used for bait like melon rinds, rotten apples, peaches or pears.
There are two forms of Question Mark fall (orange) form and summer (black) form, see photos at right for fall (orange) form.
The top photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on September 09, 2000. The second photo was taken in Durham Co., NC on February 20, 2001. The third photo was taken in Richland Co., SC on October 25, 2002. The fourth photo was taken in Brown Co., OH on October 03, 2001. The fourth rollover photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on September 09, 2000.
