Abaeis nicippe, Sleepy Orange

On average this butterfly is 1 ½” wide. It is a dusky-lemon shade with random brown markings on the underside. The top side is typically darker – a musty orange – with a more distinct contrasting brown border on the edge of the wings. The male and female markings are similar, but not identical. It is found in most states roughly south of 40˚ latitude and will fly further north in warm months.

There are 35 plant entries for this butterfly, of which 13 reference plant species in the master database. If you wish to feed this butterfly, and can grow any of these plants, start with them. The known species are Asclepias tuberosa, Clinopodium carolinianum, Conoclinium greggii, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis, Cylindropuntia fulgida, Echinacea purpurea, Liatris mucronata, Pavonia lasiopetala, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Pontederia cordata, Tagetes patula, and Verbena bonariensis.

Clinopodium carolinianum is native in much of its range, as are Echinacea purpurea, and Asclepias tuberosa.

If you need a different plant palette, then try Aster, Bidens, Buddleja, Centaurea, Duranta, Gaillardia, Solidago, Salvia, or Zinnia. All these genera, except Aster, contain native species that grow in the butterfly’s range.

This creative common photo by Judy Gallagher – of a Sleepy Orange nectaring on Zinnia – was taken at Meadowood Farm in Mason Neck Virginia.