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Sleepy Orange Butterfly
(Eurema nicippe)
Photo by permission of Bill Horn
Seasons in Walnut Creek: Summer, spring, fall; adults may be found year-round in deep South
The Sleepy Orange Butterfly is native to North Carolina. It is found locally in Durham County, Orange County, and Wake County. This little butterfly was named because of the dots on the front of the wing, which look like closed, sleepy eyes. On a bright summer’s day, the Sleepy Orange Butterfly can barely be seen in pure daylight because the bright yellow practically blends in with the sunlight.
Key Field Marks:
- Top of wings are orange
- Forewing has small, black cell spot
- Male - defined black borders on the edge of wings
- Female - undefined black borders
- Bottom of wings red, brown, or tan in winter and orange-yellow in summer
- 1 3/8" - 1 7/8" wingspan
- Chrysalis is ash-green and changes to brown-black
Key Behaviors:
- Males patrol plains for females
- Females lay eggs one at a time on host plant leaves
- Caterpillars eat leaves
Habit and Range:
- Found in old fields, wood edges, desert scrub, open pine woods, mountain canyons, watersides, and wet meadows
- Lays eggs on host plant leaves, Christmas Senna and Butterfly Cassia
- Central America to the United States/ Mexico border
Walnut Creek Sighting: Seen along State Street boardwalk in mid-September 2008.
Photo by permission of Bill Horn
Photo by permission of Jeffrey S. Pippen
Photo by permission of June Jeffries
This page prepared by 8th grader Sofia B.
Exploris Middle School - Fall 2008
