Karner Blue Butterfly

[AlumniClub]

Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat
Conservation Plan


The Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is the product of an innovative statewide partnership to protect the habitat of the Karner blue butterfly. The Plan represents a fresh perspective on U.S. Endangered Species Act implementation and an unprecedented conservation effort in Wisconsin.

About the Karner Blue Butterfly

The Karner blue was federally listed as an endangered species in 1992. Although the species is rare nationwide, it is relatively common in central and northwestern Wisconsin, especially where pine barrens, oak savannas, and mowed corridors support wild lupine, the only food of the Karner blue caterpillar.

Call the toll-free Karner Blue Butterfly Hot Line - (877) 4KARNER:

* to request Karner Blue or Habitat Conservation Plan information or assistance,
* to listen to a "flight status" report (May-August only), and
* to report qualified observations on wild lupine, Karner blue larva/feeding damage, or flying adults.

About the Habitat Conservation Plan

Approved in September 1999, the HCP is based on a legal agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wisconsin DNR, and an array of public and private land managers. The agreement allows Wisconsin land managers to continue operating in and around Karner blue habitat, provided they modify their activities to minimize incidental take (death, harm or harassment) of Karner blues.

Thirty-seven major land managers participate in the HCP as partners, including representatives from the forest industry, utilities, and roadway management authorities. The partnership works in cooperation with countless volunteer groups and concerned citizens across a vast area of Wisconsin to incorporate consideration of the Karner blue in land-use decisions. In turn, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows land managers some flexibility in how they protect Karner blue habitat.

The HCP lets most small landowners participate in Karner blue conservation voluntarily, free from regulation. Together, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Natural Resources, HCP Partners and Wisconsin citizens are building trust and making conservation work. Learn more and get involved!


Source: WI Dept. of Natural Resources

[Crys]

I've seen a few of these around my apartment, I think. It's a bit late in the season to do so this year, but next year's container garden could easily include some lupine, and since I've seen them about, hopefully that's close enough to their original patch to make a difference.

I went looking for information on this because I have a veritable infestation of blue butterflies in the woods that reach right up to my porch. Turns out to be a different blue, a "Summer Azure".

But while I was looking, I found this: http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/
that I though might be of interest to some of the people here. If it's not in the link directory already (might be; I haven't checked), I think I'll add it...

[keith]

Nice article, RedRaven. Cool reply, Crys.

One more bonus with my new vegetable garden this year: all sorts of butterflies. Thought about it as I read through these posts, then looked out to see a white one on the flowers edging the garden. I'll have to save this thought for a midwinter day.

Regards,
Keith

[AJE]

Yesterday while visiting a countryside oasis "Pondside Gardens" with my family in SW Manitowoc County at Louis Corners, I saw my first ‘Karner’ Melissa Blue Butterflies. After reviewing the http://wisconsinbutterflies.org/ site based on the following description I’m 99% certain:

Karners are a small butterfly about one inch in length. Males have a vibrant, silvery blue color on the upper surface of their wings. The upper surfaces of the females’ wings are blue close to the body, fading to grayish-brown towards the edges. The wing undersides of both sexes is light gray to grayish-brown with rows of small black spots. A single row of metallic blue-green, orange, and black spots rims the outer edges of the underside of each wing, but is most distinct on the hind wings. Larvae are small, green, soft-bodied caterpillars that feed only on wild lupine leaves and flowers.

They were dancing about no more than a few feet above the “Backyard Habitat” nearest to water sources. They looked so beautifully delicate that my mother and I just stood there a few minutes mesmerized. I’ll be on the lookout more for this endangered butterfly. Off hand I can’t recall the names of the owners to this private park, but their known locally for their exquisite collection of Hosta plants.

[AlumniClub]

Amber,
Was it West of the Lake Gardens?

Six acres of backyard gardens on Lake Michigan on the estate of John & Ruth West consisiting for 9 different and unique gardens, created by a "hopeless case" of a garden enthusiast, display a strong eastern influence with a Rose Garden, a Japanese Garden, a Sunken Garden, a Formal Garden, and more than 900 feet of herbaceous borders.

[AJE]

No, "west of the lake" is located between Manitowoc and Two Rivers on the lakefront drive.

Louis Corners is located on cty 149 a little under 1/2 between Kiel and the town of Meeme. The garden is on Louis Corners Rd (going south from Louis Corners) and on the way to a hot fishing spot of Cedar Lake. This spot is free to public and as a matter of fact many family photo shoots have been selected as well as weddings. The residents live across the street.