PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status Animal Group

Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)

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Photo by Gregor Schuurman

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), listed as Federally Endangered and State Special Concern, has been found in pine barrens and oak savanna in close association with its larval hostplant wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). It is also found along utility and road rights-of-way, abandoned agricultural fields, and managed forests. This butterfly has two flight periods, one from late-May through late-June and one from late-July through late-August.

Wisconsin’s Karner blue Habitat Conservation Plan is the document that accompanies the incidental take permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to the DNR. The permit and the plan are designed to protect Karner blues while allowing activities to occur that could impact Karner blues or their habitat.

 
 
 

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.