Monitor the Karner blue butterfly and help it out

Volunteers are needed for the annual Karner Blue Butterfly Volunteer Monitoring Program, to help survey for this endangered butterfly this summer, in select counties throughout Wisconsin.

The goal of this program is a partnership between the DNR and the public, to document Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) observations throughout their range. Since 2018, volunteers have contributed data that helps the long-term view of the species’ population state, distribution and trends.

Volunteer, DNR and partner data, goes toward the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Karner Blue Recovery Plan, which has the goal of delisting Karners as an endangered species, once it reaches a certain population.

The Karner blue butterfly’s habitat once ranged from Minnesota to Maine, and into Canada. Threats to Karners include habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change.

Currently, Wisconsin has the largest remaining population of Karner blue butterflies, with other populations occurring in Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire and New York.

Wisconsin is fortunate to have an abundance of habitats that support this species, which includes open barrens, savannas and prairies that contain wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). Wild lupine is the only food source for Karners’ pale green caterpillars.

“Collecting this information improves our data and gives us a better statewide picture of how this species is faring,” said Chelsea Weinzinger, DNR Karner blue butterfly recovery coordinator.

To learn more and sign up, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.