Pieridae : Coliadinae
Abaeis nicippe (Cramer, 1779)
Sleepy Orange
Abaeis nicippe (Cramer, 1779)
Sleepy Orange
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 34-54mm. Sexually dimorphic with the male having bright orange upperwings with a broad dark border on both wings. The female has paler wings with a more diffuse dark outer margin especially on the hindwing. Males can be confused in flight with the Tailed Orange Pyrisitia proterpia but when settled this shows the striking pointed angle at the tornus of the hindwing. The only other orange and black species of this size is Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme but that is a very rare straggler from Florida. Females show considerably more black on the upperwings than Bush Sulphur Pyrisitia dina and often have a reddish tinge on the underwings with reddish cross lines.
Range: Southern USA to northern South America and many of the Caribbean Islands including Cuba.
Status: Widespread in gardens and roadsides throughout the island.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta, Lantana, Cordia, Ageratum, Bidens, Croton, Chamaesyce and also on muddy puddles.
Larval Foodplants: Several species of Trifolium and Senna including S. alata, S. obtusifolia, S. occidentalis and S. uniflora.
Range: Southern USA to northern South America and many of the Caribbean Islands including Cuba.
Status: Widespread in gardens and roadsides throughout the island.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta, Lantana, Cordia, Ageratum, Bidens, Croton, Chamaesyce and also on muddy puddles.
Larval Foodplants: Several species of Trifolium and Senna including S. alata, S. obtusifolia, S. occidentalis and S. uniflora.
Egg
Larva
Pupa
Foodplants and Habitat
