Hobbies And Interests
Karner Blue Butterfly
Lycaeides melissa samuelis is an endangered species commonly found in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. It feeds on wild lupine plants, which once grew abundantly. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore outdoor laboratory has done extensive research into the habits and life of this small butterfly. The Karner blue has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The underside of the wings show a band of orange crescents along the rims of both wings, and black spots encircled by white are scattered throughout. These colors occur in both the male and female. The topside of the male differs, however; it is dark blue or silvery with black margins. The female is grayish brown to blue on the top, with bands of orange crescents inside the black border. The butterfly prefers oak savannas and pine woods barrens. Habitat loss and pollution have placed the Karner blue on the endangered list.
Lotis Blue Butterfly
Lycaeides argyrognomon lotis is a small butterfly now federally listed under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Like the Karner blue, it has a wingspan of about 1 inch. The topside of the wing is a violet-blue in the male, and has a black border edged with white markings along outer margins of the wings. The female wing topside is brown or bluish-brown, with a band of orange around the outer margin; a thin, black border; and white scale markings along the outer margins of the wings. The underside in both sexes is the same, being grayish-white with black spots. This butterfly was found along several coastal locations in California, however, the last recorded spotting was in 1983; it may now be the rarest butterfly in the U.S. It is thought that the disappearance of certain wild flowers such as the bird's-foot trefoil is partly responsible.
Mission Blue Butterfly
Icaricia icarioides missionensis is a small butterfly with a wing span of up to 1 1/2 inches. The male topside is silver to violet blue with a black border. The female is brown with small traces of blue near the body. Both sexes display the same grayish underside with black or brown spots. The mission blue is found in various locations of San Francisco Bay area. The survival of its larvae depends on various species of wild lupine flower once found among coastal scrub.
Wildflowers and Butterfly Survival
Wildflowers such as the lupine, trefoils and other wild plant species are crucial to the continued survival of butterflies. Such plants are introduced into pesticide-free gardens, parks and other areas to attract butterflies.