Good morning!

I saw this butterfly yesterday outside of my office and almost stepped on it, thinking it was a leaf! My husband and I both tried to identify it with no success. Can you help?!

Thank you,

Kim B.
Feb. 20, 2013

A.

Hi Kim,

I am pretty sure it is a Question Mark Butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis.

It is similar to the Comma Butterfly (Polygonia comma), but has an extra little “dot” on the hindwing marking.

Both of these species are native to this area and both overwinter as adults, so it isn’t too surprising to see one at this point.

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Polygonia-interrogationis&sp2=Polygonia-comma

Hope that was helpful. We will be happy to attempt ID for any critters you get questions about. It’s fun.

Laura Seale
Rivanna Master Naturalists

If you have a question for the RMN Naturalist Help Desk,
email us at rmnhelpdesk [at] vmn-rivanna [dot] org.

Check it out here!

More information about the class and registration process can be found here.

Information sessions. There will be three information sessions about the Rivanna Master Naturalist program:

• January 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Education Building at the Ivy Creek Natural Area, 1780 Earlysville Rd., Charlottesville, VA
• January 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave., Charlottesville, VA
• January 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Education Building at the Ivy Creek Natural Area, 1780 Earlysville Rd., Charlottesville, VA

Each session provides the same information, and attendance at an information session is not required in order to apply.

To apply for the Rivanna Master Naturalist program, please fill out the 2013 application and have three references fill out the 2013 volunteer reference form, all to be submitted by January 17, 2013 .

For more information or if you have questions, contact us at rivannamn [dot] info [at] gmail [dot] com or call (434) 974-7233, or email Laura Seale, RMN Chapter President at lauraseale68 [at] gmail [dot] com.