Rationale
(Changed due to Same category and criteria)
This is a range-restricted endemic taxon from the Western Cape Province, South Africa (EOO 20 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 20 km<sup>2</sup>). There are two locations. There is ongoing decline in the EOO, AOO, habitat quality, number of subpopulations and mature individuals due to severe infestations of invasive plant species and too frequent fires. The taxon has also lost significant habitat to viticulture over the past 15 years. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Endangered under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, from the Slanghoekberge near Goudini in the west and the south-western side of the Badsberg north-west of Rawsonville in the east. Not seen at some of its former localities on the Slanghoekberge for 20 years.
Decline
Increase in fire frequency and the risk of invasive species poses a big threat to this species.
It has narrow habitat specificity, a small and shrinking geographical range, and low abundance.
Threats
Expanding viticulture destroyed the bulk of the subpopulation/habitat at the type locality. Invasive alien vegetation, mainly <i>Hakea sericea</i>, but to a lesser extent a <i>Pinus</i> species, has affected the rest of the habitat at the type locality. Further habitat destruction by viticulture could be an added threat, as well as too frequent fires. The ecosystem status of the habitat, from a vegetation perspective, is endangered.
Conservation
A management plan for this taxon, which includes an integrated approach to the control of <i>Hakea sericea</i> using mechanical and biological control, is required. There should be no further upslope extension of vineyards into the only known remaining habitat. Further surveys for additional sites as well as autecological and synecological studies are 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}
}
,@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}
}
,@book{882,
address = {Cape Town, South Africa},
author = {Woodhall, S.E.},
publisher = {Struik},
title = {Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa.},
year = {2005}
}
,]
