Karner Blue (Plebejus samuelis) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,359 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G5T2.
When to photograph Karner Blue: observations by month (U.S.)
About Karner Blue
The Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) is an endangered subspecies of small blue butterfly found in some Great Lakes states, small areas of New Jersey, the Capital District region of New York, and southern New Hampshire, where it is the official state butterfly. The butterfly, whose life cycle depends on the wild blue lupine flower (Lupinus perennis), was classified as an endangered species in the United States in 1992.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Karner Blue by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 1,453 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 521 | July | May–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 236 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 144 | July | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Gray Hairstreak
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Red-banded Hairstreak
Marine Blue
Ceraunus Blue
Summer Azure
Western Pygmy-Blue
Reakirt's Blue
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Karner Blue?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Karner Blue most often seen?
The most observations come from Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire.