Story perspectives
Researchers Race to Save Endangered Sacramento Mountains Caterpillar
12/27/2025
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Story summary
- Scientists in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are working to save the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar, the last of its kind.
- The caterpillar is currently housed in a laboratory.
- Researchers are trying to locate another caterpillar in the wild, but the species has not been seen since 2022.
- Climate change and overgrazing have devastated its food sources.
- Past breeding efforts yielded more than 160 caterpillars, but most did not survive.
