N the sierra nevada mountains of california there are many populations of the checkerspot butterfly euphydryas editha. you notice that females of one population lay their eggs near the tip of a plant's stem (population a). females of another population in the same area lay their eggs at the base of the stem on a different type of plant (population b). the young hatch out as caterpillars; they live on the host plant and eat its leaves.

Edith's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha) is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is a resident species of western North America and among the subspecies, entomologists have long been intrigued by their many phenotypic variations in coloration, wing length, and overall body size.[1] Most populations are monophagous and rely on plants including Plantago erecta and Orthocarpus densiflorus as its host species in developing from eggs through to larvae, pupae, and mature butterflies.[2] Males exhibit polygyny whereas females rarely mate more than once. Males devote most of their attention to mate acquisition, and such mate locating strategies such as hilltopping behavior has developed.[3] Climate change and habitat destruction has impacted certain subspecies. Two subspecies in particular, Euphydryas editha quino and Euphydryas editha bayensis, are currently under protection via the Endangered Species Act.[4]

Explanation: