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Last Known Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Caterpillar Dies

The final Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar in human care has died. The species has not been observed in the wild since 2022.

The New York Times
1 source·May 22, 1:28 PM(7 days ago)·1m read
Last Known Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Caterpillar Diesbbc.co.uk
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The last Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar held in human care has died. The Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly has not been observed in the wild since 2022. The caterpillar represented the final individual of the species maintained under human care.

No additional individuals have been reported since the species last appeared in natural habitats in 2022. The death leaves no known living specimens in captivity or the wild. Conservation efforts for the butterfly had focused on maintaining the remaining caterpillar until its death.

Key Facts

Last caterpillar
final individual held in human care
Wild sightings
none recorded since 2022

Story Timeline

2 events
  1. 2022

    Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly last seen in the wild.

    1 sourceThe New York Times
  2. 2026-05-22

    Last caterpillar in human care dies.

    1 sourceThe New York Times

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    No known living Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterflies remain.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count85 words
PublishedMay 22, 2026, 1:28 PM

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