What Does a Karner Look Like? Life Cycle of the Karner Blue Karner Blue Facts

Wing Characteristics: Complete Metamorphosis  The Karner blue butterfly was first identified Under Side Eggs are laid on as a species by Russian novelist and Orange crescents (at least 4) stems of wild lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov in 1943. along outer edge of fore and blue lupine  Its scientific name is Plebejus samuelis. hind wings — more plants. Karner blue butterfly  pronounced on hind wing. The Karner blue was placed on the NYS Actual size endangered species list in 1977 and on the US endangered species list in 1992. Top Side  They are also found in Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and .  It is threatened by habitat loss caused by humans. Climate change may lead to habitat loss in areas that Adults live for Larvae eat are otherwise protected. Females: Males: just 3 - 5 days. leaves of wild  Larvae eat only wild blue Darker in color, with blue Light blue, with- During this blue lupine for lupine leaves. close to the body; out any orange time, they drink 3-4 weeks.  orange crescents on the crescents nectar from a They are Larvae are often “tended” outer edge of hind wings variety of Pupae start out difficult to spot by ants. flowers, mate, green and because they  They do not migrate and Don’t be fooled by look-alikes! and lay eggs. gradually turn are the color of seldom travel further than dark blue over lupine leaves. Few orange No orange 700 feet during their short lifetimes. crescents crescents a period of 8- 11 days.  They survive winter as eggs, aided by an insulating layer of snow. Tails Two generations (broods) of Karners complete Eastern tailed blue Spring azure their life cycles each year. Karner Blue through the Seasons Spring Brood Summer Brood

Winter April May June July Autumn Karner Blue Conservation Suggested Reading and References Historically, wildfires kept the habitat in the Karner Blue open and suitable for wild Barnes, J.K. 2003. Natural History of the Albany Pine blue lupine. Today, however, any wildfire is Bush: Albany and Schenectady Counties, New Butterflies quickly extinguished to protect private York. State Museum, Albany, NY. property. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve at the Commission uses prescribed fires that mimic US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015, April 14. natural wildfires to restore and maintain habitat Endangered Species: Midwest Region: Karner Albany Pine Bush Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). suitable for wild blue lupine and the Karner caterpillars that eat it. www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/kbb

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Final Recovery Plan for the Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides Melissa samuelis). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. 273 pp.

A prescribed fire at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Wild blue lupine in Karner blue butterfly habitat Good News for Karners! Conservation efforts appear to have put TAKING OF BUTTERFLIES IS ILLEGAL, the Karner population at the Albany Pine Bush UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, on the path toward recovery! WITHOUT A PERMIT!

An Endangered Species in a Globally Rare, Nationally Significant, and Locally Distinct Ecosystem

For further information about the Karner blue butterfly, the Albany Pine Bush, or volunteer 195 New Karner Road Albany, New York 12205 opportunities, please visit 518-456-0655 www.AlbanyPineBush.org www.AlbanyPineBush.org