The question mark butterfly is a true brushfoot butterfly. They
are a part of the Genus Polygonia which is more commonly called
the comma or punctuation mark butterflies. That is because each
species of the Polygonia Genus has a conspicuous white or silver
mark on the underside of the hind wing that resembles a
punctuation mark. The mark on the question mark butterfly is
broken into two parts, an arc and a dot, which makes it appear
like a question mark. Question marks are found through out the
eastern United States and into northeastern Canada. They usually
feed on things such as dung, rotten fruit, tree sap and carrion
but will drink nectar, as in the photo above, if their usual
foods are not available. They are usually seen from late May to
September but may be seen earlier or later in some of the warmer
portions of their range.