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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) » Crescents, Checkerspots, Anglewings, etc. (Nymphalinae) » Nymphalini » Commas, Question Mark (Polygonia) » Question Mark - Hodges#4420 (Polygonia interrogationis)
Photo#452330
crazy caterpillar - Polygonia interrogationis
Copyright © 2010 Carolyn Hagedorn

crazy caterpillar - Polygonia interrogationis
Evansville , Vanderburgh County, Indiana, USA
September 7, 2010
Size: about 1.75" long
i'm thinking toxic barbs...
tag · login or register to post comments
Contributed by Carolyn Hagedorn on 7 September, 2010 - 11:24am
Last updated 3 December, 2010 - 9:54pm

Moved
Moved from Butterflies (excluding skippers).
… David J. Ferguson, 3 December, 2010 - 9:54pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… john and jane balaban, 1 October, 2010 - 4:15pm login or register to post comments

I would try
Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)
What kind of tree is it feeding on?
… Kelly Fiegle, 7 September, 2010 - 12:47pm login or register to post comments

 
what kind of tree?
i have no idea. it was just a tiny twig growing up as a weed in my flower bed. All the leaves except one or two have already been devoured.
I almost pulled the whole thing up before i saw this little beauty! Thanks for the ID.
Are the little spikey things toxic?
… Carolyn Hagedorn, 7 September, 2010 - 1:55pm login or register to post comments

 
Non-toxic
I don't believe that the branched spines are toxic or irritating to the skin if touched. Are you planning to rear it to adulthood? I think it would be cool to watch :)
… Kelly Fiegle, 7 September, 2010 - 2:29pm login or register to post comments

 
rearing?
No, I'm just going to let it do it's thing. My whole back yard is a flower garden.
This is, however, the first time i've seen this type caterpillar. I've seen question marks on the rotting fruit i put out for the butterflies.
I also saw a red-spotted purple for the first time today, and a big, beautiful hornworm. It has been a fabulous year for butterflies and moths! I grow flowers especially to attract the sphinx moths.
i LOVE IT! thanks, Kelly!
Carolyn
… Carolyn Hagedorn, 7 September, 2010 - 2:40pm login or register to post comments

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