Red List of South African Species

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Near Threatened (NT)
Assessors: Graham Henning
Facilitators: Mark Williams
Reviewers: Silvia Kirkman Domitilla Raimondo Rolf Oberprieler

Rationale

A wide-ranging endemic taxon from the northern and eastern regions of South Africa (EOO 80 348 km<sup>2</sup>). Found in very small areas where its host plant can be found in wetlands. There are already dozens of localities where this taxon was previously found which have been destroyed by development. Every year more localities are modified and the butterflies occurring at these sites are wiped out. The taxon is a habitat specialist, being completely dependent on its host plant in riverine or wetland habitats. There are less than 12 000 mature individuals in the entire population, with no more than 250 individuals per subpopulation. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Near Threatened under criterion C. This species is found widely but in very small areas in pristine wetland habitats where its food plant, Rice Grass (<i>Leersia hexandra</i>), can be found. There are already dozens of localities where this taxon has previously been found but which have been destroyed by development. Since the previous assessment, every year more localities are modified and the butterflies occurring at these sites are wiped out. The taxon is a habitat specialist being completely dependent on its food plant and pristine habitat for survival. Currently there are estimated to be less than 12 000 mature individuals in the entire population, with no more than 250 individuals per subpopulation. The change in status from Least Concern to Near Threatened is therefore genuine.

Distribution

Endemic to the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West provinces in South Africa, from Potchefstroom in the west to Vryheid in the south-east and Nelspruit in the north-east, and Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) in the north. Also as a newly differentiated subspecies in Angola.

Decline

Continual drainage and modification of wetlands and small marshes inhabited by the species throughout its distribution range.

Population trend

Trend

The population is estimated to be less than 12 000 adults in a particular season.

Threats

Urban encroachment, agriculture and acid mine-drainage are current or potential threats. Natural phenomena such as storms and flooding have been recorded as decimating entire colonies overnight (G.A. Henning, pers. obs.). Wetlands, the preferred habitat of this taxon, are being drained and modified throughout the distribution of the taxon.

Conservation

Ongoing monitoring of this taxon should be undertaken, although it is not threatened at present.

References 

[@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}
}
,@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}
}
,@article{161280225,
 author = {Henning, G.A. & Roos, P.S. },
 journal = {Metamorphosis},
 pages = {26--33},
 title = {Threatened butterflies of South African wetlands.},
 volume = {12},
 year = {2001}
}
,]
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