The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid was collected on July 1, 1937 from Antioch, California. That sole specimen was placed into a collection and forgotten for almost 30 years. Dave Rentz found that specimen in a drawer in the late 1960’s. It took him several years of investigating the Antioch Dunes region and other insect collections in the San Francisco Bay area to realize that what he found in that drawer, was indeed a unique species. In 1977, Rentz officially proposed a new name for his new species, Neduba extincta, because he knew it was a distinct shieldback katydid, and he theorized that it was already extinct because the Antioch Dunes region was not a large area. This is where I usually summarize what led to a species’ extinction, but Dave Rentz did this in his paper. Here is what he thought after researching the Antioch Dunes region, “The male specimen reported here is apparently the sole existing representative (living or dead) of a species which was restricted to the narrow band of sand dunes in Antioch, California. The dunes now are largely destroyed either due to building construction or various other forms of habitat disturbance… The Antioch Sand Dunes are unique aeolian deposits and were once situated on the south shore of the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. This narrow band of sand, believed to be late Pleistocene in age, occupied several miles of shoreline. Now, industry, development, and sand removal have reduced the dunes to a few acres near the Pacific Gas and Electric tower on Wilbur Ave. The encroachment of introduced plants and the retardation of the free “waxing and waning” of sand have severely affected the area. And for some reason, no new sands are being deposited. The grazing of penned horses, tillage of soil, and severe dry summer of 1976 with concurrent brush fire probably have sounded the death knell for the Antioch Dunes.” The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid probably went extinct soon after its collection in 1937, but there is no way to know for sure. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 7 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid might be a candidate for this if scientists could collect DNA from the only preserved male specimen collected in 1937. The Antioch Dunes region was formally set aside as protected land in 1980 with the establishment of the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. The extinction of the Neduba extincta brought the area back into the public eye and scientists and local agencies have been working to save many other species. This work continues to be done today, protecting the Antioch Dunes habitat and restoring it. The Antioch robberfly (Cophura hurdi) and the yellow-banded andrenid bee (Perdita hirticeps luteocincta) also went extinct in this area. Two species, the unnamed plasterer bee (Colletes turgiventris) and Antioch weevil (Dysticheus rotundicollis) may already be extinct, but it is unknown for sure. Scientists continue to work to save several endangered species found only in this small narrow strip of sand. Conservation efforts are helping the Contra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum spp. angustatum), Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose (Oenothera deltoides howellii), The Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei), and the naked-stemmed buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola) which the butterfly caterpillars need for food. If the Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid was brought to life, could it ever be reintroduced to its native homeland in the sand dunes near San Francisco?