Species Abaeis nicippe - Sleepy Orange - Hodges#4242

4242

Sleepy Sulphur

Abaeis nicippe (Cramer) - (see long discussion of placement in Abaeis here)

Orig. Comb: Papilio nicippe Cramer, 1779

Syn: Eurema nicippe (Cramer)

"sleepy" refers to relatively slow flight.

Wingspan 35-57 mm

A medium-sized Pierid with a rather slow flight, usually close to the ground. Upperside of wings flash a lovely burnt orange. Underside of wings have variable markings: in winter form, underside of hindwing is brick red, brown, or tan; in summer form it is orange-yellow. Diagonal brown markings on underside of hindwings are distinguishable in all variations.

e US and less commonly to s CA / s to C. Amer. / W. Indies - Map (MPG)

Open areas, road sides, old fields with nectar and/or host plants.

All year in southern parts of range, mid-summer to fall further north.

Larvae feed on Cassia or Senna species (most former species of Cassia are now placed in Senna). In southeastern United States, the host is often Java-bean, also known as Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia).

Butterflies of America - BOA

Moth Photographers Group - MPG