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Habitat loss is the main cause of declining Karner blue populations. In addition to direct destruction of habitat, fire suppression has lead to extensive habitat degradation.
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Karner blue butterfly
© The Nature Conservancy
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The history of Karner blue in Northwest Indiana is poorly documented. It probably once was a common species. Over time, the widespread destruction of habitat throughout the region reduced the native landscape to a series of small isolated natural areas. As natural areas became smaller and more isolated, the Karner blues diminished. Eventually, local extinctions occurred with no hope of recolonization.
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