Karner Blue Butterfly - How to Help
Residents and land owners in Queensbury who live in the western part of Queensbury (primarily west of the Northway) live within a large ecosystem commonly known as the "Glacial Lake Albany Sandbelt." In Queensbury, this area is known as the Queensbury Sandplains, which contains well-drained sandy soils, pitch pines, scrub oaks, and a number of rare plants and animals. Among these, the State and federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, and the State threatened Frosted Elfin Butterfly, share a host plant, the Wild Blue Lupine.
In Queensbury, as in other parts of New York State, remaining populations of these butterfly species are in small clusters, and extremely vulnerable. The habitat, which is good for the species noted, is also favorable for development. However, under State and federal endangered species law, it is illegal to destroy or harm the habitat or the species. Removing or destroying the host plant can also destroy either of these species, whether in the egg, larvae, pupae, or adult life stages.
WILD BLUE LUPINE IN BLOOM, MAY 28, 2003, QUEENSBURY, NY
Host plant for the Karner Blue and Frosted Elfin Butterflies
DO'S AND DON'T'S
Wild Blue Lupine at edge of landscaping
Many activities that home owners and residents may normally engage in can harm the Wild Lupine plants. As you can see by the photo below, plants may be very close to your residence.
By placing grass clippings, wood chips, brush, snow, and other materials off site, you could cover growing Wild Blue Lupine plants and prevent these plants from maturing. Butterfly species that depend on the lupine can also be destroyed, since eggs from the previous year are on the emerging plants.
Application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, can also destroy the native lupine, and nectar plants.
Compost pile covers Wild Blue Lupine
There is a program in place with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other partners, such as Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, the Nature Conservancy, and State and County Highway Departments. Special signs are posted in areas containing the Wild Blue Lupine plant. Whenever you see one of these signs, you should stay off of the area noted. The places identified by the signs are under special care and management. Use of off-road vehicles on these lands is especially worrisome, since plants located on the "trails" created by the vehicles are permanently destroyed by this unlawful activity.
Please read General Recommendations for Properties Supporting Karner Blue Butterflies. 
Project Habitat sign shows special areas
RECOVERY
Even very small numbers of Wild Blue Lupine plants can attract Frosted Elfins and Karner Blues. While shaded areas are not ideal, Wild Blue Lupine plants can still grow in forested areas with partial sunlight, although the plants will be smaller in size. In addition to the lupine plants, plants that can serve as food, or nectar for these and other butterflies, are important to their survival.
Many developed areas within the Queensbury Sandplains are landscaped with non-native and invasive plant species. You can attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and beautify your property, by landscaping with native plants. You can also lower your maintenance costs by using native plants in your landscaping that are used to drier, sandier soils, and don't require as much water to survive.
For a free copy of a publication that explains the types of plants to use to attract the Frosted Elfin and Karner Blue Butterflies, please click on the appropriate link to see a list of NATIVE
PLANT SPECIES FOR LANDSCAPING AND RESTORATION IN THE QUEENSBURY SAND PLAINS AREA or INVASIVE
PLANT SPECIES IN THE QUEENSBURY SAND PLAINS AREA.
For information concerning endangered, threatened, and rare plants and wildlife in New York State, please connect to the New York Natural Heritage Program. Check out our LINKS page for connections to find out more about the Karner Blue Butterfly.
DEC staff look for Karner Blue
DEC Endangered Species Unit staff performing field work to look for and count Karner Blue and Frosted Elfin Butterflies with permission of the property owner.
E mail:
Stuart Baker, Senior Planner
E mail:
Craig Brown, Zoning Administrator
Email:
Community Development Office
742 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804
Office Phone: (518) 761-8220
Fax: (518) 745-4437