Karner Blue Butterflies

In May and June, when you are outside for Phys Ed or practice keep your eyes open for beautiful wild lupine and if you are lucky, you might see a Karner Blue butterfly.

The Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaedes melissa samuelis) is an endangered species which is dependent on the wild lupine plant (Lupinus perennis). This plant grows in sandy dry soil, clearings, and open woods. It is found in New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Minnesota. In our area, suitable habitat for wild lupine and the Karner Blue Butterfly is found in the Albany Pinebush, a pine barren located near Crossgates Mall. The Pinebush once covered 40,000 acres and now only covers 2,000 acres due to the building of homes, shopping centers, the Albany airport, and highways. We have a small population of luine on the Shen campus behind High School West.

Karner Blue Butterflies are completely dependent on one plant-- wild blue lupine. In April, catterpillars hatch from last year's eggs and they feed on lupine leaves. When the catterpillars pupate, and become adult butterflies in May or June, they feed on nectar from lupine and lay their eggs on the plant. When the eggs hatch, they feed on lupine and the cycle continues.

Lupine growing on the Shen campus behind High School West