Summary ⁷

The Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in Western North America, from Canada to Mexico. The Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) is a subspecies of the Melissa Blue, and was described by the novelist/lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov. It is sometimes placed in the genus Plebejus.

Habitat ⁸

Native prairie grasslands.

Conservation status ⁹

No immediate threats.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/2822466696/
2. (c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Theclinae/Polyommatinae/Plebejus_m_melissa/Plebejus_m._melissa_USA_ARIZONA_Apache_Co._Greens_Peak_Rd._13-V-2011_BOUTON-5.jpg
3. (c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Theclinae/Polyommatinae/Plebejus_samuelis/Plebejus_samuelis_M__Fennville_Allegan_Co_MI_USA_5-VII-04_4.jpg
4. (c) USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8678832842_53f90357b4_o.jpg
5. (c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Theclinae/Polyommatinae/Plebejus_m_melissa/Plebejus_m._melissa_USA_ARIZONA_Apache_Co._Greens_Peak_Rd._13-V-2011_BOUTON-4.jpg
6. (c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Theclinae/Polyommatinae/Plebejus_samuelis/Plebejus_samuelis_F__Fennville_Allegan_Co_MI_USA_5-VII-04_2.jpg
7. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plebejus_melissa
8. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31889783
9. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31889779

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CalPhotos
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

Range Map

(c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)

iNat Map