ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Butterflies and Skippers - Karner Blue

Karner Blue

 

 		 By 1988, the Karner blue had been eliminated from Ohio. The loss of habitat, specifically the blue lupine, its larval host, was the main reason for the extirpation of the Karner blue. Another reason for the loss of this beautiful butterfly was the effects of fire suppression. It is currently listed as a state and federally endangered species. In 1997, adult Karner blue butterflies from Michigan were taken to the Toledo Zoo, where a population of adults was bred. Adults released at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in the summer of 1998 have bred and are doing well. Thus, the Karner blue is once again part of the Ohio landscape.
 

Karner Blue
Lycaeides melissa samuelis

At-a-Glance

• Flight Period: May, June, July, and August

• Wings: .98 - 1.4 inches 

• Ohio Status: Endangered 
 
Description
The Karner blue is often confused with two other blue butterflies, the Eastern tailed blue, and the summer azure. The Karner blue has large red-orange spots on its ventral hindwing and lacks a tail-like projection. These two chracteristics separate it from the Eastern tailed blue and the summer azure.

Habitat and Habits
The Karner blue prefers oak savannas with blue lupine. In Ohio, it currently exists only in Lucas County.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
The Karner blue typically has two broods, or adult flight periods, each year. They overwinter as eggs, emerging as caterpillars to feed exclusively on wild lupine. Then in mid-May the caterpillars develop into chrysalises and emerge as butterflies in early June. These butterflies then lay eggs in July which turn into adults before the end of the summer. They will lay eggs which will hatch the following April.