LOCATION

The Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) is a butterfly that inhabits prairie and savannah habitats. They are found in the northern range of New York, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Although the Karner Blue butterfly is most abundant in Wisconsin, its population is diminishing, along with its habitat.

STATUS

Recent decline in habitat and populations of the Karner Blue butterfly has prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S.F.W.S.) to place the butterfly on the endangered species list. Endangered species are animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. The Karner Blue butterfly was federally listed as an endangered species on December 14, 1992. Without obtaining a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the handling or collection of the Karner Blue butterfly is illegal. The prohibition against harming the butterfly applies not only to federal agencies, but to every citizen of the United States. Violators of the Endangered Species Act can face prosecution.

LISTING

The first application for listing the Karner Blue butterfly as an endangered species was in 1977, but several years later it was turned down. At that time the butterfly was easy to find and in abundance. Another application was made when the numbers of the butterflies declined as a result of illegal zoning changes by municipalities, or cities. Despite the decreasing numbers, testimony by experts, and a letter writing campaign by Save the Pine Bush (SPB) members, the application was turned down again. Finally, the Karner Blue butterfly was listed as an endangered species on December 14, 1992 due to the opening of the EPA endangered species list, which had been frozen for years. With drastically alarming low numbers of the butterfly, the listing has come almost too late. The butterfly seems to be confirmed to isolated spots where lupine is present.

APPEARANCE

The Karner Blue butterfly's appearance has unique shape and coloring which distinguishes it from similar species. The coloration of the underside of both the male and female Karner Blue butterflies are the same. The underside is completely white to gray with scattered black spots circle with a light white, and a continuous band of orange cresants along the bottom portion of both flanks of the wings. The male Karner Blue butterfly has a silvery to dark blue topside with bold black margins on the edges of its wings. The female Karner Blue butterfly has a grayish brown to blue topside with irregular bands of orange crescents along the bottom portion of both wings flanks, and has bold black margins on the edges of its wings.

WILD LUPINE

The Karner Blue butterfly requires specific habitats: pine and oak savannas, barrens, and prairies supporting a variety of wild flowers with wild lupine (L. perennis).

Wild lupine (L. perennis) is the host plant for larval stages of the Karner Blue butterflies. Lupine is the only plant on which the larvae of the Karner Blue butterfly will actually feed on. Lupine has a height of about eight to twenty-four inches. Around central points of the lupine, or stems, seven to eleven lanceolate leaflets with a length of up to two inches long radiate. The flowers are blue to purple with a pea-like appearance that are in an upright, elongated, terminal cluster on an erect stem.

REPRODUCTION

Reproduction of the Karner Blue butterfly is strongly involved with wild lupine plant. There are usually two generations (flights) of Karner Blue butterflies. In April, the first group of larvae (caterpillars) hatch from the eggs that over-wintered from late summer of the previous year. The larvae enter the pupa stage, and emerge from their pupas as adult butterflies during the end of May and early June. These newly hatched adults mate and lay their eggs during June on or near wild lupine plant. The eggs will hatch in about one week and the larvae will feed for about three weeks on the upper surface of wild lupine leave. The larvae will then pupate and emerge as adult butterflies in mid-July, which is known as the second generation. This second generation will mate and lay eggs that won't hatch until the following spring, continuing the process.

IMPROVING HABITAT

Fire prevention by humans has led to decreased growth and reproduction of lupine plants, and urbanization has caused the loss of many wild lupine populations. Conducting prescription fires of burns will improve the Karner Blue habitat. A prescribed burn is an ignited and controlled fire. The prescription fires will enlarge the oak and pine savannas, barrens, and prairie habitats. They will also clear away unwanted plants and shrubbery, and leave plenty of room for lupine to thrive.