Lycaeides melissa

The Melissa blue (Plebejus melissa) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in western North America, from Canada to Mexico. The Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) is a subspecies of the Melissa blue, and was described by the novelist/lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov. The wingspan is 22–35 mm. The butterfly flies from April to August depending on the location. The larvae feed on Lupinus, Medicago and Lotus species.