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Project Noah Nature School
Polygonia interrogationis
Identification: Forewing hooked; upperside is red-orange with black spots. Upperside hindwing of summer form is mostly black with a short tail; that of winter form has much orange and a longer, violet-tipped tail. Underside is light brown; hindwing with pearly white question mark in center. Wing Span: 2 1/4 - 3 inches (5.7 - 7.6 cm).
This one was photographed at the trailhead to the Modoc Trail in the Sumter National Forest near Modoc (McCormick County), SC.
Caterpillar Hosts: American elm (Ulmus americanus), red elm (Ulmus rubra), hackberry (Celtis), Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus), nettles (Urtica), and false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica). Adult Food: Rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, carrion. Only when these are unavailable do Question Marks visit flowers such as common milkweed, aster, and sweet pepperbush.
Spotted on May 17, 2014
Submitted on Dec 27, 2014
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