An endangered butterfly could get a new lease on life thanks to a breeding program at the San Diego Zoo.
The population of the Quino checkerspot butterfly, known for its distinctive checkerboard-patterned orange, black and white wings, has drastically declined because of urban development that has diminished its habitat, experts said. It’s on the brink of extinction.
“My hope for this project is a successful breeding program for the Quino checkerspot butterfly, and that they will be reintroduced into restored habitat and become as common as they once were,” said Paige Howorth, associate curator of entomology at the San Diego Zoo.