The Melissa Blue is a small, variable western blue butterfly with males showing vivid azure blue and females largely brown with orange crescents along wing margins. It is closely associated with native lupines and astragalus. The Karner Blue, an endangered subspecies, is found in eastern pine barrens and is tightly dependent on wild blue lupine.
Habitat
Dry prairies, open hillsides, and western meadows
Diet
Larvae: lupine and milkvetch. Adults: nectar
How common
Common
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