Sleepy Orange

Description:

The Sleepy Orange is a bright orange butterfly with the upper side of the wings having wide black borders. The forewing coastal margin has a small, narrow black spot. Some people think that the Sleepy Orange got its name from the black spot that looks like a closed eye; others say that the Sleepy Orange is a misnomer because, when disturbed, the butterfly has a very rapid flight. The underside of the wings varies seasonally: summer forms are bright yellow with brick red markings, while winter forms are browner and more heavily marked. It has a wingspan of 13⁄8–21⁄4 inches.

Habitat:

The Sleepy Orange may be found in or around old fields, roadsides, woods edges, swamps, wet meadows, open woodlands, margins of ponds, waterways, and valleys. Larvae feed on Cassia or Senna species (most former species of Cassia are now placed in Senna). In southeastern United States, the host is often Java-bean, also known as Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia). Adults take nectar from a variety of flowers, such as goldenrod (Solidago spp.).

Notes:

Found this one feeding on my Mexican Heather. It was very fast and busy. Don't know why they call it slow. This pic does show what the top of the wings would look like if it were open. The dark brown outline is the color of the dark spots on the top of the wings. I thought that I would go ahead and submit this one till I can get a better spotting. Hopefully.