The Karner Blue butterfly is a small species that is primarily found in North America. This adorable little butterfly has striking blue coloration, but due to its distinct habitat requirements, it is very elusive and considered endangered. Here we’ll explore this rare gem of the grasslands in a little more detail.
Description and Identification of the Karner butterfly or Melissa Blue:
The Karner butterfly (Melissa Blue) as it is sometimes known is the Plebejus melissa samuelis, a visually striking species of butterfly. It takes its name from the iridescent blue wings visible on the upper side, but the blue coloration is more prominent in male Karners.
The female Karner Blue butterfly has a more subdued, blue, grey color. Both have black margins on their wings with a dark wavy line that outlines the edge, but in females, this margin is broader.
In addition to its coloration, one of the easiest ways to identify the Karner Blue is by its size. This tiny butterfly has a wingspan of just 2.5 to 3 centimeters or approximately one inch. Additionally, the wings have a rounded shape with a short, delicate tail on the hind wings.
Habitat and Ecology of the Melissa Blue Butterfly:
The Karner Blue (Melissa Blue) has quite specific habitat requirements, which impact its ecology. This butterfly has a preference for open sandy areas, pine barrens, and oak savannas, making it a specialized species that are typically only found in certain regions of North America.
Some areas where you may find this butterfly include the Albany Pine Bush Preserve in New York, which has pine pitch oak barrens that offer suitable habitat conditions, and the sand prairies of Wisconsin. There are also some regions of Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio that have suitable host plants and terrain to encourage the Karner Blue Butterfly to settle.
Karner Blue caterpillars exclusively feed on blue lupine leaves, which are only found in these terrains, but the butterflies have a more varied diet. The butterflies will feed on the nectar of numerous plants including butterfly weed, blazing star, New Jersey tea, and leafy spurge.
The Karner Blue is typically not seen outside of these areas and to date has never been seen in Australia, the UK or Europe. This makes it elusive, but a rare gem if you happen to visit the Great Lakes States or other areas with its preferred habitat conditions.
Life Cycle and Behavior of the Melissa Blue Butterfly:
The Karner Blue butterfly 4 Stage life cycle follows the general stages of other butterfly species.
- Egg: The lifecycle of the Karner Blue begins when the female lays eggs on the wild lupin host plant. The eggs are round, small and pale green, and are typically laid near or on the leaves.
- Caterpillar: After the eggs hatch, the caterpillars emerge feeding on the leaves of the plant. The caterpillars have several growth stages, shedding skin each time. Throughout this larva stage, the caterpillars maintain their spiky appearance and often have rows of orange or red spots along their sides.
- Pupa: Once the caterpillar reaches full size, it will attach itself to a plant stem, leaf or other surface using silk threads. It then transforms into a chrysalis or pupa. Inside its chrysalis, the caterpillar goes through a metamorphosis to transform into an adult butterfly. This stage takes a couple of weeks.
- Butterfly: After the transformation is completed, the Karner Blue butterfly will emerge from its chrysalis. Initially, it will have soft, crumpled wings, but over an hour or so, the wings will expand and harden. It is then able to fly to seek out food and a mate. It will gather nectar from the surrounding wildflowers, but since the lifespan of the Karner Blue is only approximately two weeks, mating is a priority. The eggs from spring mating hatch in summer, but if the summer hatching butterflies lay eggs, they will remain dormant until the following spring to start the cycle again.
Conservation Status and Threats to the Karner Blue Butterfly:
The Karner Blue is listed as an endangered species that is considered to be at risk due to its significant population decline and habitat loss. The factors contributing to this endangered status include habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction and dwindling population of the wild lupine, as its host plant.
Since the historical range of the Karner Blue butterfly includes North American states with sand prairies and oak pine savannas, the agricultural activities and urban development in these areas have led to habitat destruction and fragmentation.
Fortunately, conservation efforts are underway to protect and help recover the Karner Blue population. There are conservation organizations which are working to restore suitable habitats and manage these areas including planting wild lupine, conducting controlled burns and managing any invasive species.
There are also efforts to rear Karner Blues in captivity and release individuals into suitable habitats to help bolster the wild populations. The Karner Blue has also obtained legal protection through the United States Endangered Species Act, which provides legal safeguards to prevent harm to this species and its habitats.
Despite these efforts, there is still concern for the Karner Blue. The survival of this species is dependent on continued restoration and protection efforts to address the various threats to this beautiful little butterfly.
Karner Blue Butterfly: In Conclusion
Unless you live near its preferred habitat terrain, you’re unlikely to see the Karner Blue butterfly, but this beautiful species plays an important role in the local ecology. Although small, the Karner Blue is a rare gem that assists in pollination of plant species in its rare habitat, encouraging rich biodiversity in these areas.
Therefore, it is crucial that conservation efforts remain to help this species avoid extinction. While its endangered status does provide some legal protections, it is important to be aware of the Karner Blue and if you are in habitat areas, be alert for any threat to its habitat to ensure that this wonderful little butterfly remains for future generations to enjoy.