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Sleepy Orange These bright golden-orange butterflies have a wide, black border on both wings. Fast-flying and challenging to pursue, the Sleepy Orange appears anything but sleepy. The Sleepy Orange frequents open areas, including fields, road sides and wet meadows. Not commonly seen in our area, the Sleepy Orange shows a preference for disturbed and other areas with good populations of senna. Although most abundant during the summer months, the Sleepy Orange can be observed well into autumn, when its bright color may change to a peachy-orange. The Sleepy Orange butterfly uses the wild senna (Cassia hebecarpa) as its host plant. Single eggs laid on senna plants hatch into slender, green caterpillars that are covered with short hairs. Photo: Tony Coomer |