Nevada Milkweed Surveys

To investigate the factors influencing the use of milkweed (Asclepias spp.) populations by monarch butterflies for breeding behaviors in northern Nevada, I surveyed 10 milkweed populations of each of the following species: A. cordifolia, A. cryptoceras, A. erosa, A. fascicularis, and A. speciosa. This work was in collaboration with four dedicated undergraduate students, which I mentored throughout the entire research process, providing guidance in research design, execution, and data management. For each plant, we recorded key variables such the percent of herbivory damage per leaf, leaf width, and plant size, while also documenting the presence of monarchs (eggs, larvae, or adults). To assess the extent of parasitism in wild larvae, a random subset of larvae was selected and brought to the laboratory. Emerging parasitoids were preserved for subsequent identification. In addition to these efforts, we collected leaf tissue from the surveyed plants to scrutinize the inter- and intra-specific variation of plant secondary metabolites. These results of these surveys will enhance our understanding of how ecological interactions shape monarch butterfly behaviors and their use of habitats for breeding.