Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Pieridae

     Eurema nicippe
     Sleepy Orange


male upperside
male underside
female upperside
female underside

Size: wingspread 1.25-2 in.
Recognition: Orange with wide black outer border which is thicker and irregular in FW.
Flight period: Adults are active all year from Mexico north to the southern U.S., and from middle to late summer in its northern range.
Hostplants: The larvae feed on various Cassia species (Fabaceae), which does not grow natively in our area.
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of open, primarily lowland habitats, including urban areas (where its cultivated host plant may be found).
Distribution: The Sleepy Orange is a resident from central America into the southern U.S., and is a frequent migrant to our area.

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