What is the Karner blue butterfly predators?
Predators of adult Karner blue butterflies include dragonflies (Anisoptera) [41], robber flies (Asilidae) [37], ambush bugs (Phymatidae) and spiders (Araneae) [2], such as crab spiders (Thomisidae). Assassin bugs (Reduviidae) are also likely predators of adult Karner blue butterflies [37].
What do Karner blue butterflies do?
The caterpillars feed only on wild lupine plant leaves. Adults feed on the nectar of flowering plants. This severely restricts where they can survive. Range – Karner blue butterflies are found in the northern part of the wild lupine’s range.
Are Karner blue butterflies pollinators?
Adult Karner blue butterflies have a wing span of only one inch and typically live only a few days to a few weeks. As they feed on nectar, some pollen sticks to the adult butterfly and is unintentionally transferred from flower to flower. This transfer of pollen is likely to result in some pollination.
What is the rarest butterfly in Canada?
Karner Blue Butterfly
The Karner Blue Butterfly is one species that once graced Southwestern Ontario but has since disappeared. The cause being the destruction of habitat and the loss of its only food supply: The Wild Lupine.
What is the largest butterfly in Canada?
Giant Swallowtail
What is the largest butterfly and moth in: Canada? The world? The largest moth and butterfly species in Canada are, the Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)(11-15 cm), and the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) (8.3-11.3 cm), respectively.
How is the Karner blue butterfly being managed?
Research – Researchers are studying the Karner blue butterfly to find the best way to manage for the butterfly and its habitat. Habitat Protection – Where possible, the butterfly’s habitat (pine and oak savanna/barrens supporting wild lupine and nectar plants) is managed and protected.
How are Karner blue butterfly caterpillars tended by ants?
Like many members of the Lycaenid butterfly family (the blues and coppers), Karner blue butterfly caterpillars are “tended” by ants. The caterpillars secrete small quantities of a liquid from a gland on the top rear of the caterpillar.
Where to find the Karner blue butterfly in New Hampshire?
The Karner blue butterfly is the state butterfly of New Hampshire, but there are only a few left in the state! Today, the Karner blue butterfly is only found in the pine barrens near the Concord airport. The Karner blue caterpillar only eats wild blue lupine, and wild blue lupine is found in pine barrens.
What kind of plants do Karner blue butterflies eat?
Adult Karner blues feed on the nectar of many plants, some of their favorites are butterfly weed (Asclepious tubersoa) leafy spurge (Euphorbia podperae), blazing star (Liatris cylindracea), wild Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), and New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus).
Research – Researchers are studying the Karner blue butterfly to find the best way to manage for the butterfly and its habitat. Habitat Protection – Where possible, the butterfly’s habitat (pine and oak savanna/barrens supporting wild lupine and nectar plants) is managed and protected.
Like many members of the Lycaenid butterfly family (the blues and coppers), Karner blue butterfly caterpillars are “tended” by ants. The caterpillars secrete small quantities of a liquid from a gland on the top rear of the caterpillar.
The Karner blue butterfly is the state butterfly of New Hampshire, but there are only a few left in the state! Today, the Karner blue butterfly is only found in the pine barrens near the Concord airport. The Karner blue caterpillar only eats wild blue lupine, and wild blue lupine is found in pine barrens.
Adult Karner blues feed on the nectar of many plants, some of their favorites are butterfly weed (Asclepious tubersoa) leafy spurge (Euphorbia podperae), blazing star (Liatris cylindracea), wild Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), and New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus).