Status: Breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: The question mark is the largest, and perhaps the most familiar anglewing in the state. It is easily identified by the pearly, question-mark shaped spot in the center of the hind wing below. It is seasonally dimorphic; the winter form is lighter and more concolorous on the undersurface; the summer form has blackish hind wings above, and a much more mottled underside. No two individuals have quite the same color and pattern.
Distribution and habitat: The Question Mark is abundant throughout the state in a variety of woodland habitats.
Natural History: Larvae consume a number of woodland trees and plants, including elm, hackberry, and nettles. Resting adults mimic dead leaves, and when startled fly rapidly through sunlit glades. Adults eat fermented sap, fruit, and dung. It can be easily baited at a butterfly feeder using old fruit and a fermented brown sugar mix. Adults are the overwintering phase.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
374827 | 2024-09-14 | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center | Iowa | 42.048887 -91.671287 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
373974 | 2024-08-18 | Shimek State Forest, Donnellson Unit | Iowa | 40.645925621667 -91.674793618333 | Mark Brown | 1 |
374080 | 2024-08-18 | Geode State Park | Iowa | 40.823867656667 -91.378304428333 | Mark Brown | 1 |
374407 | 2024-08-18 | Codfish Hollow Prairie | Iowa | 42.073801 -90.56554 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
375296 | 2024-08-18 | Hamilton Prairie, Jackson County | Iowa | 42.070045 -90.554996 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
374069 | 2024-08-17 | Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | Iowa | 41.788700603333 -91.674889471667 | Mark Brown | 1 |
378544 | 2024-08-17 | Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.679143 -96.523488 | Jay Gilliam | 1 |
378543 | 2024-08-11 | Turkey Run Wildlife Area, Lee County | Iowa | 40.557863 -91.680371 | Jay Gilliam | 2 |
369816 | 2024-08-04 | 1460 Douglas Ct, Marion | Iowa | 42.0400108 -91.5911385 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
377536 | 2024-08-04 | Slip Bluff County Park | Iowa | 40.652884 -93.847544 | Jay Gilliam | 3 |
378542 | 2024-08-04 | Slip Bluff County Park | Iowa | 40.652884 -93.847544 | Jay Gilliam | 1 |
374294 | 2024-08-02 | Brucemore | Iowa | 41.990833 -91.635569 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
375029 | 2024-07-26 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545749 -91.616234 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
375108 | 2024-07-25 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
372862 | 2024-07-22 | F. W. Kent Park | Iowa | 41.735578596667 -91.722656911667 | Mark Brown | 1 |
373530 | 2024-07-22 | F. W. Kent Park | Iowa | 41.735212 -91.722923 | Mark Brown | 1 |
372837 | 2024-07-21 | Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge | Iowa | 41.557414991667 -93.279541645 | Mark Brown | 1 |
372909 | 2024-07-20 | Ciha Fen Wildlife Preserve | Iowa | 41.830074981667 -91.382742651667 | Mark Brown | 1 |
372873 | 2024-07-14 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.25051776 -91.63382258 | Mark Brown | 1 |
378541 | 2024-07-13 | Eddyville Sand Prairie Park | Iowa | 41.154568 -92.618726 | Jay Gilliam | 1 |
368334 | 2024-07-06 | Tinsley Cemetery | Iowa | 41.394304 -92.478677 | Susie Keller-McCain | 1 |
372975 | 2024-07-06 | Atherton Wetland | Iowa | 41.847246236667 -91.560001813333 | Mark Brown | 1 |
375107 | 2024-07-06 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
378540 | 2024-07-06 | Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 42.626904 -93.651943 | Jay Gilliam | 3 |
374178 | 2024-07-03 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
2,898
1
304
2025 | 0 |
2024 | 111 |
2023 | 136 |
2022 | 150 |
2021 | 70 |
2020 | 139 |
2019 | 104 |
2018 | 151 |
2017 | 144 |
2016 | 58 |
2015 | 183 |
2014 | 63 |
2013 | 20 |
2012 | 68 |
2011 | 51 |
2025 | 0 |
2024 | 1 |
2023 | 1 |
2022 | 1 |
2021 | 1 |
2020 | 1 |
2019 | 1 |
2018 | 1 |
2017 | 1 |
2016 | 1 |
2015 | 1 |
2014 | 1 |
2013 | 1 |
2012 | 1 |
2011 | 1 |
2025 | 0 |
2024 | 38 |
2023 | 44 |
2022 | 43 |
2021 | 34 |
2020 | 34 |
2019 | 38 |
2018 | 40 |
2017 | 37 |
2016 | 27 |
2015 | 28 |
2014 | 20 |
2013 | 10 |
2012 | 26 |
2011 | 19 |
Site Name | Observations | Last Observation |
---|---|---|
Shimek State Forest Count Circle | 262 | 2019-06-16 |
Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | 187 | 2024-07-26 |
Yellow River State Forest, Paint Creek Unit | 157 | 2024-06-30 |
Shimek State Forest, Donnellson Unit | 143 | 2024-08-18 |
Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | 120 | 2024-08-17 |
Lake MacBride State Park | 111 | 2021-07-25 |
Shimek State Forest, Lick Creek Unit | 87 | 2024-06-09 |
Pin Oak Park Area | 76 | 2023-07-19 |
Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | 63 | 2024-07-25 |
F. W. Kent Park | 62 | 2024-07-22 |
Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | 62 | 2024-05-31 |
Ada Hayden Heritage Park | 59 | 2023-07-02 |
North Liberty | 48 | 2002-07-28 |
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad | 45 | 2019-08-06 |
Reiman Gardens Area, Ames | 44 | 2021-09-29 |
Blue Flag Marsh | 43 | 2017-06-24 |
Hickory Hills County Park | 35 | 2018-06-16 |
Slip Bluff County Park | 34 | 2024-08-04 |
Indian Creek Nature Center | 28 | 2023-07-08 |
Rolling Thunder Prairie State Preserve | 27 | 2024-07-03 |
Chain Lakes County Park | 27 | 2022-07-18 |
Seed Saver Exchange | 26 | 2018-07-06 |
Cedar View Trail | 22 | 2021-07-22 |
Matsell Bridge Natural Area | 21 | 2023-07-17 |
Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area | 21 | 2002-08-18 |