Rationale
(Changed due to Same category and criteria)
This is a range restricted endemic from Limpopo Province, South Africa (EOO 20 km<sup>2</sup>). The records indicate an EOO of 1 km<sup>2</sup> and AOO of 8 km<sup>2</sup>, and the maximum inferred EOO and AOO, based on unexplored but suitable habitat, is less than 20 km<sup>2</sup>. This taxon is confined to the upper forests of the Blouberg. Even though there are plausible threats, such as deforestation by the local communities and unseasonal fires, these are not considered serious enough to rapidly push the species to critically endangered status, and consequently the species does not qualify for a Vulnerable status. There are rumors of proposed mining activity in the area, but these could not be confirmed at the time of the assessment, and were not considered a current threat. If, however, mining is approved for the mountain, this taxon should be reassessed. It thus qualifies as Least Concern according to the Global IUCN criteria and is listed as Rare (Restricted Range) in South Africa.
Distribution
Endemic to Limpopo Province in South Africa, limited to the upper forests of the Blouberg inselberg near Poleni.
As the taxon is confined to the uppermost stretches of forest on the Blouberg, a long-term increase in temperature and consequent reduction in forest cover may push it to extinction, but is not currently considered a threat. Grazing by livestock, the main land-use on this communally owned mountain, is not considered a threat as it should not have a serious impact on the <i>Syzygium</i> trees (the host plant of the taxon).
Conservation
No conservation actions are currently required, but a monitoring program will help as the taxon is known from relatively few specimens and more research is needed to understand its ecological requirements as well as any possible threats it may face.
[@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}
}
,@electronic{168298998,
author = {Coetzer, A.J.},
publisher = {Lepidopterists' Society of Africa},
title = {Exploring the Blouberg},
year = {2014}
}
,]
