Chris Davidson Photography
KarnersBlue-8243-j
Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) New York
Endangered or threatened in most of its range.
Karner Blues are a subspecies of the butterfly Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa).
The Wild Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is the only food plant for the Karner caterpillar. But the range of Karner's and lupine do not completely overlap. Instead, Karners are found only along the northern portion of lupine range.
Much of this Lupine had been lost to habitat changes, mostly from development.
KarnersBlue-8243-j
Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) New York
Endangered or threatened in most of its range.
Karner Blues are a subspecies of the butterfly Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa).
The Wild Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is the only food plant for the Karner caterpillar. But the range of Karner's and lupine do not completely overlap. Instead, Karners are found only along the northern portion of lupine range.
Much of this Lupine had been lost to habitat changes, mostly from development.