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 (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This is a range-restricted endemic from the Western Cape Province, South Africa (EOO 0.1 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 4 km<sup>2</sup>). There is one location. No specimens of this taxon have been seen since 1994 despite regular surveys, although there have been no major surveys in the last few years. There is a persistent threat from invasion by alien plants and from an increase in fire frequency and intensity, causing a continuing decline in the area of suitable habitat. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) under criterion B.

Distribution

Endemic to the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, on the western slopes of Table Mountain between Llandudno and Lion's Head; used to occur at Llandudno.

Decline

There is a persistent threat from invasion of alien plant species and from an increase in fire frequency and intensity, which will cause a continuing decline in the area of suitable habitat.

Population trend

Trend

No specimens have been seen at the former localities of the taxon since 1994.

Threats

The taxon has disappeared from most of its former habitats and now appears to be in a precarious state, if not already extinct. The last known colony on the western side of the higher slopes of Lion’s Head in Cape Town was exterminated by the occurrence of too frequent and intense fires, enhanced by alien vegetation, in the mid-1990’s. These fires occurred during the butterfly’s late-summer flight period. This habitat was also affected by the invasion of alien vegetation. The second-last known colony of the taxon, near the Apostle Batteries above Llandudno, was destroyed by invasive alien vegetation- groves of trees of a Eucalyptus species. These groves continue to expand, displacing indigenous vegetation and thus inhibiting invertebrate presence as well as posing a fire hazard.

Conservation

Systematic and intensive searches should be conducted for the taxon at the correct time of the year on Lion's Head and in the area above Llandudno, from where it was previously recorded.

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}
}
,@book{890,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Henning, S.F. & Henning, G.A.},
 publisher = {Council for Scientific and Industrial Research},
 title = {South Africa Red Data Book - Butterflies.},
 year = {1989}
}
,@book{10963,
 address = {CapeTown},
 author = {Claassens, A.J.M.},
 publisher = {Tafelberg},
 title = {Butterflies of the Cape Peninsula: A comprehensive guide.},
 year = {2000}
}
,]
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