Land use effect on the sexually selected signal of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae)

Anthropogenic forces have impacted natural ecological systems over the last few decades at rapid rates. Specifically, the exponential use of fertilizer in agricultural fields has changed nutrient cycling and availability in these areas. How these human-induced nutritional changes affect sexually selected signals has not been extensively studied.  Along with citizen-scientists (The Pieris Project), Pieris rapae, the cabbage white butterfly, were collected and used to investigate how nitrogen deposition affects their sexually-selected signal.  Butterflies were collected from agriculture and non-agricultural areas and wing reflectivity was compared.