This is a highly restricted endemic species from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (EOO 18 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 8 km<sup>2</sup>). It has two locations that are not under significant threat at present. It is a very localised butterfly, entirely dependent on a single host-plant, <i>Bergbambos tessellate</i>, which tends to occur near the tops of hills. The plant itself is not red-listed, however the butterfly only occurs within a relatively small portion of the plant’s regional distribution (the extreme southern extent). Fires, climate change and exploitation are considered to pose plausible future threats to the plant and, consequently, to the butterfly. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion D. This species has always been considered a relatively rare habitat specialist. For the 2012 assessment it was considered to occupy a large area from Bedford in the southwest to Drakensberg Gardens in the northeast, with an EOO of about 20 000 km<sup>2</sup>. For the current assessment, which was based on verified data, there are only two accepted locality-records, Gaika’s Kop and Bedford, and this would have also been valid for the previous assessment. There has been no change in threats since the previous assessment. Thus, previously it should have been assessed as Vulnerable, and thus the change in status from Least Concern to Vulnerable is non-genuine.
Distribution
An endemic to the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, from Gaika's Kop near Hogsback and near Bedford.
There do not appear to be any significant threats at present. Potential future threats include the vulnerability of the larval host plant, <i>Bergbambos tessellate</i>, to fire and to possible exploitation. As this plant is generally found near the tops of hills, it may be vulnerable to climate change.
Conservation
The sub-populations of this taxon should be monitored by LepSoc Africa; the butterfly has only two locations. There do not appear to be significant threats at present, however this species is entirely dependent on a single, relatively uncommon host-plant. Excessive or aseasonal fires, commercial exploitation of <i>Bergbambos tessellate</i>, or the potential effects of climate change pose future threats.
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year = {2013}
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year = {2012}
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year = {2016}
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,]
