Some of its preferred nectar flowers are red sage (Salvia coccinea), coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), scarlet morning glory (Ipomoea coccinea), standing cypress (Ipomopsis rubra), red savory (Calamintha coccinea), firebush (Hamelia patens), coral bean (Erythrina herbacea), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and red pentas (Pentas spp.).
At night, and during stormy weather, they roost underneath the leaves of shrubs and trees that have rather large leaves, and especially leaves that are yellowing.
They are most prevalent in the fall and they usually crowd the roadsides and gardens.