This is an endemic taxon from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa (EOO 1 302 km<sup>2</sup>). There are at least 21 subpopulations and it is not threatened at present. Most of these forests are protected by law, even though the laws are poorly implemented. There is a future concern of habitat degradation by alien plant invasions and loss of habitat to pine and blue-gum plantations. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Least Concern. The previous assessment used the incorrect information. It was previously placed in the Vulnerable category because the forest habitat was presumed threatened. The fact is that this species occurs in very extensive forests, and is widespread within them. There is no evidence of any population decline over time and it should have been assessed as Least Concern previously. To make matters worse for this argument, the species actually uses a food plant that is very widespread, and is actually a pioneer plant that likes disturbance. So mismanaging the forests would probably favour it. The status change from Vulnerable to Least Concern is therefore non-genuine.
Distribution
Endemic to the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, known from several forests in the Amatola mountains from near Fort Beaufort in the west to Stutterheim in the east.
Even though the forests in the Amatola mountain range fall mostly within protected areas, there is a future potential threat of degradation of habitat due to alien plant invasions and loss of habitat to pine plantations. There are real problems in the Eastern Cape Province concerning jurisdiction over these forests, as well as implementation of conservation measures. This has resulted in paralysis in the coordination and implementation of adequate natural forest conservation in this region.
Conservation
This taxon occurs in forests, which are threatened by the expansion of plantations and uncontrolled encroachment by alien species. At present this is not a threat to this species, but this could change in the future.
