No question mark--right family but wrong genus and species.

Your butterfly is much more exotic than a ?mark (to me, up here in Oregon).

It is a Goatweed Butterfly, one of the "leafwing" butterflies. Anaea andria. Probably an overwintering adult from later in 2009.

And it's not a guy but a gal, so that part about the "smooth talker" must be correct!

How fabulous that you got a picture! I guess it takes this cold winter weather we've been having to inactivate leafwings enough that you can do so - in summer, they're about the shyest butterfly out there. Instead of flying away quickly, though, they pop up like a grasshopper and even make a clicking noise.
I've raised some caterpillars, and even after the butterflies emerged, I STILL couldn't get a decent picture - they keep their wings up, only opening them in a flash, too quick for me!
Now we know how they overwinter - thanks for sharing!
Sherry

Thank you for the replies.
The expertise/knowledge offered on this form is amazing and appreciated.
(been in the woods, excuse my late reply)

Misssherry what did you feed the cats? From what I've read
the host plants are rather specific; Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) a summer annual. Did you grow some??

They eat various types of goatweed/wild croton - the type that grows in this area, and probably where you are, is woolly croton/Croton capitatus. You don't see goatweed popping up until about the middle of summer, and then you see it in practically every sunny, dry spot. All wild crotons have pretty brown stems.
Here's a picture of a caterpillar -
{{gwi:454078}}
The chrysalides look like real small monarch chrysalides - I can only get pictures of this butterfly when they're in their flightless stages! :/
{{gwi:454079}}
Sherry

Wow, MissSherry, I didn't realize the chrysalises were so like the Monarch! I know in the past you posted pics of the cats and the adults - you're the only one I know who has raised these elusive beauties!

I managed to accidentally subdue one that was resting on the ground and I didn't see it when I was watering. With the wings wet, it was not able to fly away and I brought it in the house to show my daughter and GD. About that time it began to recover and we about went crazy trying to catch it so it could be released outside!

The GLs are a prime example of the "startle" effect IMHO. They blend in so well with their surroundings that they are entirely unnoticable until they open their wings quickly and disappear in flight!

Gorgeous butterflies, and as you say, very shy.

I don't recall if they nectar or are attracted to rotting fruit, etc. I have never seen them on the fruit feeder, if that is the case, but I have several that hang out in the backyard.

Susan

For a penny that's nearly 11 years old (it's a 1999-D), it is amazingly shiny. Do you save them in a jar, or is the photograph some years old?

Hehehe! How on earth could you read the date, Larry gene?
The picture is about ?3 years old, and I certainly don't ordinarily shine my pennies, but maybe I rubbed it up some for the picture? I can't remember if I did!
Sherry

The first digit is not a "2" and the last three digits are identical. The only date that fits for Lincoln Cents that started in 1909 is the year 1999.

That, and it is a very good photo of a penny and I could see the date! It must have come out of someone else's stash just before you got ahold of it and used it in c. 2007.

And, I collect pennies and have examined thousands of them over the decades.

And, I was also impressed with ronkw's photo.

....and a penny will get you a gender ID. It is actually a female Goatweed Leafwing. The males are a solid, brilliant orange.

Susan

Earlier today I was reviewing my Goatweed photos and suddenly I saw it. Hit me like a ton of bricks.
I had actually photographed the exceedingly rare and elusive Shiny Lincoln Goatweed. 1989D. I'm sure of it.
Quite possibly you have never heard of this species!
To back up my claim, I have linked to the actual photograph, for all the world to see.

Here is a link that might be useful: New Species

The inclusion of the penny would make the Lincoln Goatweed closely related to the American Copper butterfly.

Hehehe!
Yes, it's closely related, larry gene.
And you need to report that new species so you can get credit for the first county report, ronkw! :)
Sherry