The Karner Blue butterfly egg is a very special shape. Since their butterflies and caterpillars are so small, the eggs are as well, measuring at 1 mm in diameter. They are laid on blue lupine, a plant that flowers in the spring and is endangered, a large reason why these butterflies are endangered. These eggs are circular, somewhat shaped like a donut because the inner part of the circle dips downward. If you look at it under a microscope, you can see that the egg is also textured, making it look like it has scales.

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The caterpillars are a light green color when they emerge and are also very small. These caterpillars eat the top layer of the blue lupine, an endangered plant that grows in pine barrens only. They stay in caterpillar form for about 3-4 weeks until they enter their chrysalises. These caterpillars have a special way of surviving. While they eat the lupine, they produce a sugary substance which attracts ants. The ants eat the sugary substance and because the caterpillar provides it for them, they protect it from predators.