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Karner
Blue Butterfly, Lycaeides
melissa samuelis
The Karner blue
butterfly is critically imperiled in Indiana.
It is slate gray on the ventral side of the wing with orange bands
encompassing black spots. These
butterflies are found in dry and sandy environments with grassy openings
including oak savannah and jack pine barrens.
They are regionally endemic to mostly Midwestern United States.
There are between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals.
They are in rapid decline due to poor forestry practices and land
development, which result in habitat transformation.
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