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Figure 159.
Ecologists study within several biological levels of organization
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Organismal Ecology 
The adaptations that allow individuals to live in particular habitats are of interest to 
researchers who study ecology at the organismal level. Adaptations may take the form of 
morphological, physiological, or behavioral changes. For example, the females of the Karner blue 
butterfly 
(Lycaeides melissa samuelis)
(Figure 160) are thought to be specialists because they only 
oviposit (lay eggs) on wild lupine (
Lupinus perennis
). Due to its unique adaptation and requirement, 
the Karner blue butterfly must have access to wild lupine plants in order to survive. 
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(credit “organisms”: modification of work by yeowatzup”/Flickr; credit “populations”: modification of work by 
"Crystl"/Flickr; credit “communities”: modification of work by US Fish and Wildlife Service; credit “ecosystems”: 
modification of work by Tom Carlisle, US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters; credit “biosphere”: NASA)

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Figure 160.
The Karner blue butterfly (
Lycaeides melissa samuelis
) is a rare butterfly that lives 
only in open areas with few trees or shrubs, such as pine barrens and oak savannas. It can only 
lay its eggs on lupine plants
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After emerging from the egg, (first instar) caterpillars spend four to six weeks exclusively 
consuming wild lupine. After about four weeks, the pupating caterpillars transform into chrysalises, 
go through the last stage of metamorphosis, and then emerge as butterflies. The adult butterflies 
consume milkweed and other plant species, as well as the nectar from the flowers of wild lupine. 
Typically, the Karner blue has two broods each year
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