Research – Researchers are studying the Karner blue butterfly to find the best way to manage for the butterfly and its habitat. Habitat Protection – Where possible, the butterfly’s habitat (pine and oak savanna/barrens supporting wild lupine and nectar plants) is managed and protected.

How many Karner blue butterflies are left in the world?

NEW YORK: The Saratoga Airport Site, a treeless prairie area maintained by mowing, currently supports the largest population of Karner blues in New York [3]. This population has remained large for several years now and is estimated to support around 10,000 butterflies [3].

Are silvery blue butterfly endangered?

Not extinct
Silvery blue/Extinction status

What is the lifespan of a Karner blue butterfly?

between 3 and 5 days
The average lifespan of adult Karner blue butterflies has been reported at between 3 and 5 days. The first Karner blue butterfly flight generally occurs sometime between mid-May and mid-June, with males typically appearing earlier than females. First flight females lay the vast majority of their eggs on wild lupine.

Why are Karner blue butterflies important?

Protection of the Karner blue butterfly, wild blue lupine, and the habitat where they live is likely to assist in the survival of many other plants and pollinators that also thrive in these rare habitats.

What is the Karner blue butterfly predators?

Spiders and many insects are the major predators of Karner blue butterflies.

Where do Karner blue butterflies lay eggs?

lupine plant
Karner blue butterflies live for only a week or two. During that time they mate and the females lay their eggs on a lupine plant. The eggs from the spring mating will hatch in the summer. This second group of Karner blue butterflies mate and lay their eggs on or near a blue lupine plant.

How do I identify a Karner Blue butterfly?

Meet the Karner Blue Butterfly Males’ wings across the top are silvery blue to dark blue with narrow black margins. Females are graying brown with bands of orange inside the blade border. Karner blues are found around the Great Lakes and the northeast United States, typically in semi-shaded areas with sandy soil.

How big is a Karner Blue butterfly?

What it looks like. The male Karner Blue is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 2.5 centimetres, or about the size of a quarter. Its deep blue wings have black edges and a white outer fringe.

Do Karner blue butterflies pollinate?

Adult Karner blue butterflies have a wing span of only one inch and typically live only a few days to a few weeks. As they feed on nectar, some pollen sticks to the adult butterfly and is unintentionally transferred from flower to flower. This transfer of pollen is likely to result in some pollination.

Why is the Karner blue butterfly important?

What are Karner blue butterfly predators?

Where do Karner blue butterflies live in New York?

Without blue lupine, the Karner blue would not survive. The Karner blue is found in scattered localities from Minnesota to New Hampshire. In New York, the butterfly is found in certain parts of the Hudson Valley sand belt which extends from the Albany Pine Bush north to the Glens Falls area.

How can we help the Karner blue butterfly?

Research is being conducted to develop methods of enhancing or creating habitat suitable for the Karner blue butterfly, in particular, the establishment and propagation of wild blue lupine. Methods used to establish or restore appropriate habitat conditions for blue lupine and the Karner blue include mowing and controlled burning.

What is the scientific name of the Karner blue butterfly?

Scientific Name: Lycaeides melissa samuelis. New York Status: Endangered. Federal Status: Endangered. The Karner blue is a small butterfly with a wing span of approximately one inch. In the male, the upper surface of all four wings is a deep violet-blue fringed with white.

Why is it important to protect the Karner blue?

Protecting habitat from development is also important in preserving this species. Several of the largest populations of the Karner blue in New York are currently protected and managed by DEC under cooperative agreements with landowners.