Rationale
(Changed due to Same category and criteria)
This is a range-restricted endemic species in the Western Cape Province, South Africa (EOO 330 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 20 km<sup>2</sup>). There are four locations. The threats (agriculture and invasive plants) have intensified and remain a threat to this taxon. There is a continuous decline of the EOO, AOO and habitat quality. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Endangered under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, in the Scherpenheuwel area and the eastern side of the Brandvlei Dam near Worcester in the west, as well as near Robertson in the east.
Decline
Agriculture expansion and the increase threat of invasive species encrouchement into the habitat areas remain a cause of concern for the future of this species.
Probably fewer than 300 adults emerge per season. Personal experience over 15 years, however, suggests that, due to the prolonged flight period (with a peak in March/April), possibly 1 000 adults emerge per annum.
Threats
This taxon has lost extensive habitat in the past to crop cultivation and urban development in the Worcester district. Currently threatened by alien vegetation and agricultural activity. Habitat quality is experiencing ongoing decline due to invasion by alien plants. Habitat is also being lost due to expansion of crop cultivation within the range of the taxon. Future threats could emanate from recreation resorts along the river, and dam and housing developments, which will all pose a major threat to the habitat.
Conservation
More research is needed to find additional subpopulations. Monitoring, management and protection of the habitats at the known sites is also required.
[@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}
}
,@phdthesis{772,
author = {Ball, J.B.},
school = {University of Stellenbosch},
title = {Approaches towards a critical evaluation and update of the Red Data List of South African butterflies.},
year = {2006}
}
,]
