Rachael E. Bonoan, PhD

One side of the road (the greener side) was burned last year, allowing for a natural experiment comparing burned and unburned areas.

The host plant of the Puget blue butterfly (and others) on a dewy morning.

Possible nutrient source for adult Puget blue butterflies.

An ant receives a sugar droplet reward in exchange for protecting this Puget blue butterfly caterpillar.

These caterpillars can be found on their host plant, sickle keeled lupine.

These tiny ants can also protect caterpillars and live at our field site.

These ants are among those that tend caterpillars.

Closely related species to my study system.

Nectaring on oxeye daisy.