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The Karner Blue Butterfly
(Lycaeides melissa samuelis) is a small, blue butterfly that has a
wingspan of about 1 inch (2.5 cm). This endangered species lives in oak
savannas and pine barrens and is associated with wild lupine (Lupinus
perennis, a plant that the caterpillar eats). Adults drink the nectar
of horsemint, butterflyweed, and bachelors button.
The adult male
(pictured above) and female have a very different appearance. The upper
sides of the male's wings are silver to dark blue with white and black
margins. The upper sides of the female's wings are gray-brown to blue,
with some bands of orange crescents along the bottom of the hind wing, and
white and black margins. The underside of the wings of both sexes are
grayish in colorwith orange crescents and some metallic spots along the
bottom of both hind wings.
The green caterpillar is tended by ants; these
ants collect a sugary liquid that is secreted by the caterpillar, and the
ants protect the caterpillar from some predators and
parasites.
