Why is the Karner blue butterfly 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.
Are Karner blue butterflies extinct?
The Karner blue butterfly is an endangered species. Endangered Species are animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct.
How many eggs do Karner blue butterflies lay?
Relationship to Wild Lupine The Karner blue usually lays two batches of eggs each year. Eggs laid the previous summer hatch during mid-April when the lupine are first coming up.
How many Karner blue butterflies are left in the wild?
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].
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 long do Karner blue butterflies live?
Adult karner blue butterflies have a very short lifespan, usually only five days or so. Some females have been recorded living up to two weeks. Larvae feed only on the wild lupine plant. They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
How long does a Karner blue butterfly live?
How did the Karner blue butterfly get its name?
The Karner blue was named by novelist and lepidopterist (butterfly expert), Vladimir Nabokov. lays its eggs on or very near blue lupine plants. When the eggs hatch, the Karner blue caterpillars eat the blue lupine leaves.
What are Karner blue butterfly predators?
Spiders and many insects are the major predators of Karner blue butterflies.