Sleepy Orange

Male - August 2022

The Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) is a mostly yellow sulphur species with vibrant orange forewings, variable brown striping and sprinkling on most of the ventral side. The overall wing shape is much more rounded than other similar sulphurs like the Orange Sulphur. When in flight the orange looks almost fluorescent and can be used to id Sleepy Oranges though some Orange Sulphurs are also very bold orange and much more common.

Mating Pair - August 2021

This mated pair finally landed on the grass blade after flying around for a bit trying to find the perfect perch. The male (above) carried the female as she hung upside down. Note the bolder, more prevalent marking details on the female (below). This is similar for both Little Yellows and Cloudless Sulphurs - females have much more obvious marks when viewing the wing underside.

Male - August 2021

I’ve always liked this photo as I think it’s really cute how the butterfly holds on to the dried grass stalk. Sometimes Sleepy Oranges will not come out into the open. I’ve had a few occasions where they pop up above fields of their host plant and then dive back down into the grasses. Sometimes it is quite difficult to pick them out after they land in the meadow.

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