This is a range-restricted endemic taxon from the Western Cape Province, South Africa (EOO 4 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 16 km<sup>2</sup>). There is only one location on the mountain slopes near Wolseley. The general area was under forest plantation, which has subsequently been felled/cleared and the area is now managed by CapeNature. There has, none the less, been a population decline over the last 10 years and no specimens have been seen in the last three years despite regular surveys by the taxon author and colleagues. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Critically Endangered under criterion B. For the previous Least Concern assessment there were no visible threats, but since then the population has decreased to low numbers of adults. While the threats causing this decline are still unknown, the current drought could be the reason for the recent decline in numbers. Also, better information has been used now, supporting that this species has only ever occurred at one locality, whereas previously is was thought to have a much wider range. The smaller EOO of 4 km<sup>2</sup> and the recent decline in numbers means that the change in status from Least Concern to Critically Endangered is genuine.
Distribution
Endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, in the Wolseley area.
CapeNature is managing the land on which this butterfly occurs. The alien pine plantations have been removed from this locality as part of CapeNature's management plan. The butterfly is protected within a nature reserve. Despite this active management the number of mature individuals is declining. The reason for the decline in numbers in the last few years has not been determined, but could be due to the ongoing drought.
Conservation
Continued protection of the taxon's habitat from alien vegetation invasion is needed. Exploration for more colonies of this taxon on nearby mountain slopes needs to be undertaken.
[@book{772,
address = {Johannesburg &Cape Town},
author = {Mecenero, S., Ball, J.B., Edge, D.A., Hamer, M.L., Henning, G.A., Krüger, M., Pringle, E.L., Terblanche, R.F. & Williams, M.C. (eds)},
publisher = {Saftronics (pty) Ltd and Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town},
title = {Conservation assessment of butterflies of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: Red List and Atlas.},
year = {2013}
}
,@book{772,
address = {Pretoria},
author = {Henning, G.A., Terblanche, R.F. & Ball, J.B. (eds)},
publisher = {South African National Biodiversity Institute},
title = {South African Red Data Book: butterflies. SANBI Biodiversity Series},
year = {2009}
}
,@article{772,
author = {SANBI},
journal = {South African National Biodiversity Institute},
pages = {0},
title = { Vegetation Map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland [vector geospatial dataset] 2012. Available from the Biodiversity GIS website.},
volume = {0},
year = {2012}
}
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,@book{882,
address = {Cape Town},
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publisher = {Struik-Winchester},
title = {Pennington's Butterflies of southern Africa.},
year = {1994}
}
,@book{890,
address = {Pretoria},
author = {Henning, S.F. & Henning, G.A.},
publisher = {Council for Scientific and Industrial Research},
title = {South Africa Red Data Book - Butterflies.},
year = {1989}
}
,]
