These leaf-like members of the Brushfooted family of butterflies are migrants, but some may well hibernate as adults here in Massachusetts. Sleepy butterflies may appear from wood and leafy piles or from behind nooks and crannies within bark in the spring when tree sap begins to flow, for Question Marks prefer sap and rotting fruit to the nectar of flowers. They are comfortable clinging to tree trunks and may even be sighted about carrion.
The author spotted this Question Mark in the north field and since it looks so fresh, believes it may have emerged here from a larva state. This amazing Massachusetts butterfly site mentions that elms, hops, nettles, hackberry and even bittersweet are possible hosts plants. At least there is something positive about the invasive bittersweet . . . that is a constant chore to maintain . . . more to obliterate. I will be looking carefully for Question Mark butterfly eggs in future.
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