Melissa Blue

The Melissa blue is Plebejus melissa, a small butterfly found across western North America and extending from Canada through the western United States toward Mexico. Related populations also occur in plains and prairie habitats farther east. [Butterflies and Moths of North America](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Plebejus-melissa?page=1)

Males are usually blue above with a narrow dark border, while females are more brown with a blue tinge and orange marginal markings. The wingspan is about 2.2 to 3.5 centimetres. [Butterflies and Moths of North America](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Plebejus-melissa?page=1)

The western form uses several legumes, including species of lupine, milkvetch, licorice root, lotus, and clover relatives. The Karner Blue subspecies is especially dependent on Wild Blue Lupine, Lupinus perennis. [US Fish and Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/species/karner-blue-butterfly-lycaeides-melissa-samuelis)

Yes, the Karner Blue is a subspecies of the Melissa blue, commonly identified as Plebejus melissa samuelis. It is endangered in parts of the United States because its lupine habitat has declined. [US Fish and Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/species/karner-blue-butterfly-lycaeides-melissa-samuelis)