Red List of South African Species

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Critically Endangered (CR)
Assessors: Fanie Rautenbach
Facilitators: Mark Williams
Reviewers: Silvia Kirkman Domitilla Raimondo Rolf Oberprieler

Rationale

This is a range-restricted endemic taxon on the Paardeberg in the Western Cape Province, South Africa (EOO 1 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 8 km<sup>2</sup>). There is one location. It has not been seen at the last remaining colony since 2010, despite regular surveys. Invasive alien vegetation and inappropriate fire regimes have reduced the quality of the habitat. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) under criterion B. This taxon was last observed in 2010 despite regular surveys and the habitat has undergone a good deal of degradation. The change in status from Critically Endangered to Possible Extinct is therefore a genuine change.

Distribution

Endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, only ever found on Paarl Mountain and Paardeberg Mountain near Paarl. The Paarl Mountain subpopulation is extinct.

Decline

"No specimens of the subpopulation on Paarl Mountain have been seen since the late 1970's, and it is deemed to be extinct there. Specimens of the two Paardeberg colonies were last recorded in March 2010. Several searches there since then have failed to find further specimens.\nA fire on Paardeberg ran through the area of the colonies in late January 2012, right at the start of their flight period of the butterflies.\nInvasion by alien trees, especially on the lower slopes of Paardeberg, is of concern.\nSand mining has also started on the some of the farms surrounding Paardeberg."

Population trend

Trend

There are two small Paardeberg colonies, about 1 km apart, each currently occupying an area of about one acre in size. Probably fewer than 150 adults emerge every season, based on observations over the past decade. This taxon has probably become extinct on Paarl Mountain owing to severe invasion of alien vegetation and too frequent fires in summer/autumn.

Threats

Invasive alien vegetation, mainly Port Jackson Willow (<i>Acacia saligna</i>) on the Paardeberg and a <i>Pinus</i> species and Port Jackson Willow on Paarl Mountain, probably poses the most severe threat to this taxon. Inappropriate fire regimes have also proved harmful. There is a 4x4 trail on Paardeberg Mountain, but this does not appear to be impacting negatively on either colony. However, this situation has to be further assessed and monitored.

Conservation

The last remaining site is on private land, which forms part of a nature conservancy. Population monitoring and detailed autecological and synecological studies are needed to design and implement an effective habitat management plan that includes cooperation by the landowners.

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}
}
,]
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