Sleepy Orange
Eurema nicippe
The 'sleepy' in its name likely refers to the dark, closed-eye-like spots on its underwings, rather than its rapid, erratic flight.
- Scientific name
- Eurema nicippe
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Pieridae › Eurema
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Disturbed open areas, fields, roadsides, pastures, and wet meadows.
- Diet
- Adults drink nectar from flowers like shepherd's needle and marigolds; caterpillars feed on Senna (cassia) species.
- Range
- North America, Central America, Caribbean
- Size
- Wingspan of 3.5 to 5.7 cm (1.4 to 2.2 inches).
- Lifespan
- 2 to 3 weeks as an active adult, though overwintering generations can live for several months.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat destruction, widespread pesticide use, and premature mowing of host plants.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless and safe to observe. Avoid handling to protect their delicate wings. If wing scales rub off on your skin, simply wash with soap and water.
Eurema nicippe , the sleepy orange , is a North American butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is also found in the West Indies, Costa Rica and Belize.
Photo: DiegoH, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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