Diario del proyecto Wisconsin Pollinator Watch

The Karner blue butterfly, scientifically known as Lycaeides melissa samuelis, belongs to the Lycaenidae family, commonly referred to as gossamer-winged butterflies. This delicate creature is a symbol of grace and beauty in Wisconsin's natural landscapes.

Measuring about the size of a nickel, with a wingspan of approximately one inch, the Karner blue butterfly bears distinctive features that aid in its identification. Its top side exhibits a sky blue hue in males, while females showcase a darker blue and brown palette, complemented by vibrant orange spots along the edges of both hind wings. Moreover, both genders flaunt bands of orange crescents on the undersides of their fore and hind wings, a unique trait that distinguishes them from other small blue butterflies.

Historically, the Karner blue butterfly inhabited a vast range spanning from Minnesota to Maine and into Canada. However, habitat loss, fragmentation, and destruction have significantly diminished its populations. Today, outside of Wisconsin, the Karner blue persists in small pockets across Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New York. Sadly, it has been extirpated in states like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario. As of December 2023, 637 observations of the Karner Blue Butterfly exist on iNaturalist for Wisconsin. This is WPW’s call to action to increase observations to enhance our understanding of the butterfly's location, population, and habits, ultimately contributing to improved conservation efforts!

In Wisconsin, the Karner blue finds refuge in open barrens, savannas, and prairies where wild lupine thrives. These habitats, prevalent in central and northwest Wisconsin, serve as vital ecosystems for the butterfly's survival. Wild lupine, the primary food source for Karner blue caterpillars, is essential for sustaining their populations. Additionally, Karner blues may also inhabit areas like roadsides, utility right-of-ways, and other open early successional stages, providing crucial corridors for dispersal and genetic diversity.

Given its dwindling populations and restricted habitats, conservation efforts are paramount for the Karner blue butterfly's survival. Organizations and agencies in Wisconsin are actively involved in habitat restoration projects, including the preservation and enhancement of lupine-rich environments. These initiatives aim to safeguard not only the Karner blue but also other native species dependent on similar habitats.

References
"Wisconsin butterflies" Retrieved 2024-01-23 https://wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterfly/species
Photo reference https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Spring-2018-MT-pXX-XX-Land-Conservation-highlights-Photo-2-Steve-Apps-Karner-blue-butterfly.jpg

In the midst of a total solar eclipse, when the world plunges into an eerie darkness, humans aren't the only ones affected. Bees, also experience a dramatic shift in behavior. The total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, provided scientists with a unique opportunity to delve into the foraging and homing habits of honey bees (Apis mellifera) during this celestial spectacle.

Traditionally, bees are known to be industrious creatures, buzzing from flower to flower in search of nectar and pollen from dawn till dusk. However, when the moon's shadow began its dance with the sun across North America, bee behavior took an unexpected turn. Researchers, including ecologist Candace Galen from the University of Missouri, embarked on a mission to understand how these tiny insects responded to the celestial event.

Armed with microphones strategically placed among flowers, the team captured the buzz of activity as the eclipse unfolded. What they discovered was remarkable: as totality, the phase where the sun is completely obscured by the moon, descended upon the landscape, the buzz of bees abruptly ceased. It was as if a switch had been flicked, plunging the bees into a sudden silence.

This swift transition puzzled researchers. Bees, unlike humans, aren't adapted to handle the sudden onset of darkness brought on by an eclipse. As Nicole Miller-Struttmann, an evolutionary ecologist at Webster University, notes, these insects lack a strong evolutionary history to guide their behavior during such events. Instead, they rely on other environmental cues, which may leave them ill-prepared for the unique conditions of an eclipse.

While the 2017 eclipse provided valuable insights into bee behavior, questions remain unanswered. With advancements in technology and a wealth of knowledge accumulated from previous studies, scientists are gearing up for an even more comprehensive investigation.

The 2024 solar eclipse offers a chance to further unravel the intricacies of bee behavior and shed light on lingering questions. Will bees exhibit similar patterns of activity as observed in 2017, or will new insights emerge? As the countdown to April' eclipse begins, scientists and citizen scientists alike eagerly await the opportunity to witness nature's spectacle and unlock the secrets hidden within the silent wings of bees.

References:

1. Waiker, P., Baral, S., Kennedy, A., Bhatia, S., Rueppell, A., Le, K., Amiri, E., Tsuruda, J., & Rueppell, O. (2019). Foraging and homing behavior of honey bees (Apis mellifera) during a total solar eclipse. Naturwissenschaften, 106(1-2), 4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30617515/ PubMed
2. Chiu, Joanna. "Busy Bees Take a Break During Total Solar Eclipses." Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2019, www.smithsonianmag.com