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KARNER BLUE BASICS
• An Ohio & Federal endangered species
• A population at The Nature Conservancy’s Kitty Todd Nature Preserve, Lucas County with a population being established on Oak Openings Preserve Metropark property and an additional release at the Milke Road Savanna Wildlife Area
• Ohio’s population was restored using butterflies from a remnant population in southern Michigan
• Requires wild lupine to complete its life cycle
• Habitat loss is associated with commercial and residential development and suppression of wildfire
2011 UPDATE
The Karner blue butterfly is a federally and state endangered Lepedoptera found exclusively in oak savanna habitat. This postage stamp-sized butterfly was extirpated from Ohio by 1989. The Karner blue requires wild lupine and nectaring plants such as Lantana to complete its life cycle. In 1998, a Conservation Plan was developed by the Ohio Recovery Team to establish a self-sustaining population through a captive-breeding and release program. Habitat restoration at the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve coupled with releases of Karner blues reared at the Toledo Zoo has restored this species to Ohio. In 2011 447 captive-reared butterflies were released in the Campbell Prairie area of the Oak Openings Preserve Metropark and 575 butterflies released at the Milke Road Savanna Wildlife Area
Survey details and historical data can be found in the Unique Habitats Overview section of the Wildlife Population Status and Hunting Forecast.
To learn more about Ohio’s butterflies and monitoring efforts: www.ohiolepidopterists.org
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