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History & Highlights Chicago Illinois Field Office |
Karner Blue Butterfly
(Lycaeides melissa samuelis)
Historically, this small butterfly occurred in populations that were scattered over much of the upper midwest and northeastern United States. Those populations were restricted primarily to areas where sandy soils promoted the growth of lupines, it's larval host plant.
The sandy woodland, barrens, or prairie habitats in which this species thrives are maintained by fires or other periodic disturbances. Without such disturbances, changes in habitat can cause loss of lupine and Karner blue populations.
In northeast Illinois, this species was known from sandy areas along the Lake Michigan shoreline. In recent years, only occasional individuals have been reported. Locally, the Chicago Illinois Field Office has participated in surveys for Karner blues in areas of suitable habitat remaining in Lake County, Illinois.
Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis): Listed as endangered in 1992. Pertinent dates for the Great Lakes population include:
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Complete regulatory profile as provided by the Service's Endangered Species website.
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Final Determination of Endangered Status, published in the Federal Register (57 FR 59236-59244), December 14, 1992.
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Karner blue butterfly Recovery Plan, 2003 (2.31mb pdf)
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USFWS Karner blue butterfly Fact sheet (html version), Fact Sheet (pdf version)
