SANBI

Rationale

This is a range-restricted endemic species from the Western Cape Province in South Africa (EOO 68 km2, AOO 16 km2). The AOO and EOO has increased since the previous assessment due to the discovery of a third subpopulation near the Quaggaskloof dam. There are now three subpopulations occurring at two locations. There are threats of habitat loss mainly from the possible future increase in size of the two dams near the localities. Agricultural expansion poses a threat to the survival of the subpopulations on the western part of the Brandvlei Dam. Encroachment of invasive alien species (mainly Acacia saligna) is currently causing decline in habitat quality at two locations. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Endangered under criterion B. Since the previous assessment a much bigger locality was discovered at Quaggaskloof dam, which increased the EOO from 4.5 km2 to 68 km2 and the AOO from 0.18 km2 to 16 km2. This locality would have existed during the previous assessment. The status has therefore been upgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered and the change is not genuine.

Distribution

Endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, near Worcester, restricted to the Brandvlei Dam area at the type locality on the eastern side of the dam and on the western side of the dam next to the main dam wall, as well as south of the Quaggaskloof Dam.

Decline

"Habitat declining due to the expansion of agricultural activities in the Breede River Valley. \nEncroachment of alien invasive plants also poses a continual threat to the habitat. The Brandvlei dam is very old and the butterfly was only discovered after contruction of the dam. \n \n"

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

There is no information currently available.

Threats

Future expansion of the Brandvlei and Quaggaskloof dams would destroy the subpopulations at Quaggaskloof and the eastern side of Brandvlei. Agricultural development (clearing for crops, application of pesticides etc.) poses a threat to the subpopulations on the western side of the dam. Encroachment by alien plants (Port Jackson Willow) and urban developments (resorts) pose threats to the subpopulations on the eastern side of the dam.

Conservation

Conservation of the areas around the two subpopulations is required in the event of the expansion of the Brandvlei and Quaggaskloof dams or if agriculture in the area is expanded. Removal of alien vegetation at both locations is required, and the local authorities, prison services and farming community need to be made aware of this taxon and its habitat requirements to prevent further encroachment of the habitat by alien plants and agriculture.

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}
}
,@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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Red List of South African Species