Karner Blue Butterfly

Range: U.S.A. - Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, possibly Illinois.

The Karner Blue butterfly was Federally listed as an endangered species in 1992. Karner Blue caterpillars feed only on the leaves of the wild lupine plant. This severely restricts where they can survive. Habitat throughout the range of the Karner blue butterfly has been lost as a result of land development and lack of natural disturbance, such as wildfire and grazing by large mammals. Such disturbance helps maintain the butterfly's habitat by setting back encroaching forests, encouraging lupine and flowering plant growth. The Karner blue butterfly's rarity and beauty make it a desirable addition to butterfly collections. Because butterfly numbers are so low, the collection of even a few individuals could harm the butterfly population.

Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly

Range: U.S.A. - Indiana and Michigan

The Mitchell's Satyr butterfly was listed as endangered in 1992. It lives in wetland fens, low nutrient systems that receive carbonate-rich ground water from seeps and springs, which are also critically endangered. Most of this wetland habitat has been drained and filled to make way for urban and agricultural development. Also, invasion from exotic weeds threaten the fens on which the butterflies depend. In addition, contamination of fen wetlands by pesticides, fertilizer, and nutrient runoff from adjacent agriculture, including livestock production, poses a threat to the butterfly's habitat. It is believed that some populations of the Mitchell's satyr were eliminated by butterfly collectors.

Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly

Range: U.S.A. - Palos Verdes Peninsula (Los Angeles County), California

The Palos Verdes Blue butterfly was listed as endangered in 1980 and was feared extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994. Caterpillars are only known to feed on one species of locoweed. This butterfly's habitat is under contant threat of development. The population is also threatened by weed control, off-road vehicle use, non-native invasive plants, and fire suppression. Conservation intiatives include control of human use of the habitat, replanting of the host species, and a captive breeding program.