Ecology Lupinus

canadian tiger swallowtail on wild perennial lupine, gatineau, quebec

certain species, such yellow bush lupin (l. arboreus), considered invasive weeds when appear outside native ranges. in new zealand, l. polyphyllus has escaped wild , grows in large numbers along main roads , streams on south island. similar spread of species has occurred in finland after non-native species first deliberately planted in landscaping along main roads. lupins have been planted in parts of australia considerably cooler climate, particularly in rural victoria , new south wales.

lupins important larval food plants many lepidopterans (butterflies , moths). these include:

aricia icarioides missionensis (mission blue butterfly), larvae limited lupinus
callophrys irus (frosted elfin), recorded on l. perennis
erynnis persius (persius duskywing)
†glaucopsyche xerces (xerces blue)
glaucopsyche lygdamus (silvery blue)
plebejus melissa samuelis (karner blue)
erynnis persius persius (eastern persius duskywing)
schinia sueta, larvae limited lupinus




^ mission blue butterfly. golden gate national parks conservancy.
^ callophrys irus. canadian biodiversity information facility.
^ erynnis persius. atlas of north dakota butterflies. usgs.
^ glaucopsyche lygdamus. atlas of north dakota butterflies. usgs.
^ plebejus melissa. butterflies , moths of north america.
^ eastern persius duskywing, ontario species @ risk
^ schinia suetus. entomology collection. university of alberta.