Did You Know?
The Karner blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) is an endangered subspecies of butterfly primarily located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. Identified
in 1944 by lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov, the Karner blue is small in size, with a wingspan of approximately one inch. Habitat range includes prairies, dry sandy areas, open woods, and lakeshore dunes. Larvae feed
only on wild blue lupine, making this flower essential for the species' survival. Currently, the Karner blue is at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, illegal collection, and climate change.
The Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is the only species of butterfly in the world that makes an annual 3,000- mile migration. Playing an important role in the ecosystem, it contributes to plant, insect, and wildlife biodiversity by pollinating a multitude of wildflowers. Milkweed plants are crucial to Monarch survival for three reasons: (1) they are used as habitat for eggs; (2) caterpillars rely on them for food; and (3) the toxins absorbed by the caterpillars when eating milkweed serve as a predator defense, since it makes them noxious. Currently, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is petitioning to protect the Monarch under the Endangered Species Act.
Wild blue lupine
(Lupinus perennis)
Native to Illinois, wild lupine is a nitrogen-fixating member of the pea family, meaning it increases nitrogen in soil. Lupine is good for Karner blue butterflies because it is a larval host plant. This ensures reproduction, allowing the species to maintain its population.
Orange milkweed
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Also referred to as "butterfly weed," this tuber flower attracts pollinators due to its bright color and copious production of nectar. Monarchs rely on milkweed during all four stages of their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Specifically, monarch caterpillars feed only on milkweed, making this perennial essential for metamorphosis.
Steeplebush
(Spirea tomentosa)
A member of the rose family, this shrub can grow between two and four feet high. Despite its height, it must be planted in open areas to attract pollinators. Karner blue butterflies primarily feed on steeplebush, as both its leaves and nectar-producing flowers serve as an important food source.