Wildlife Spotting

Here is the link to Bugguide.net for the Genus Polygonia http://bugguide.net/node/view/297/bgimage It should have all the photos you need to find caterpillars. They are sap, dung, rotting fruit, carrion feeders. Sometimes in early spring they will come for nectar. The best way to see the sap feeders and lots of other interesting insects is to put out a plate of soft fruit to rot, like that one banana that no one wants. It does bring other things too, like my raccoon or possum clean the plate every night.

Well at least you can tell your friend that it was a harmless butterfly and one of the more beautifully unusual.

Here is a wonderful side by side comparison site. http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Polygonia-interrogationis&sp2=Polygonia-comma

Hi just sent you the two possibilities. The definitive marker is on the underside of the wing. Is it a comma or a question mark?