South African Red Data Book: butterflies

SANBI Biodiversity Series 13

South African Red Data Book: butterflies

by G.A. Henning1, R.F. Terblanche2 and J.B. Ball3 (Editors)

1 Lepidopterists' Society of Africa 2 School of Environmental Sciences and Development, Private Bag X6001,

North West University, Potchefstroom, 2520 3 Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology and Centre for Agricultural

Biodiversity, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch (Editors appointed by the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa)

Pretoria 2009

SANBI Biodiversity Series

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) was established on 1 September 2004 through the signing into force of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) No. 10 of 2004 by President Thabo Mbeki. The Act expands the mandate of the former National Botanical Institute to include responsibilities relating to the full diversity of South Africa's fauna and flora, and builds on the internationally respected programmes in conservation, research, education and visitor services developed by the National Botanical Institute and its predecessors over the past century.

The vision of SANBI: Biodiversity richness for all South Africans.

SANBI's mission is to champion the exploration, conservation, sustainable use, appreciation and enjoyment of South Africa's exceptionally rich biodiversity for all people.

SANBI Biodiversity Series publishes occasional reports on projects, technologies, workshops, symposia and other activities initiated by or executed in partnership with SANBI.

Contributors: Dr A.J. (Adrian) Armstrong, Dr J.B. (Jonathan) Ball, A.I. (Alfred) Curle, N.I. (Neville) Curle, Dr D.A. (Dave) Edge, G.A. (Graham) Henning, Dr S.F. (Stephen) Henning, E.L. (Ernest) Pringle, P.S. (Peter) Roos, R.F. (Reinier) Terblanche, Prof. M.C. (Mark) Williams (Reviewer: Lepidopterists' Society of Africa)

Assessors of Red List statuses: G.A. Henning & R.F. Terblanche Evaluator of Red List statuses: J.B. Ball Reviewer: M.J. Samways

Technical editing: Emsie du Plessis Design & layout: Daleen Maree Cover design: Sandra Turck, incorporating photographs of Chrysoritis dicksoni by

R.F. Terblanche

Citing this publication HENNING, G.A., TERBLANCHE, R.F. & BALL, J.B. (eds) 2009. South African Red Data Book: butterflies. SANBI Biodiversity Series 13. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

ISBN 978-1-919976-51-8

? Published by: South African National Biodiversity Institute. Obtainable from: SANBI Bookshop, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 843-5000. E-mail: bookshop@. Website: . Printed by: 4Images, 23B De Haviland Crescent, Persequor Park, Brummeria, Pretoria.

CONTENTS

Introduction ....................................................................................................... 2 Butterfly conservation in South Africa .................................................................................... 2

Red Data Books, Red Lists and butterfly conservation in South Africa ............................... 2 Threats to butterfly species in South Africa ........................................................................ 3 Conservation measures ....................................................................................................... 6 Application of the IUCN (2001) Red List categories and criteria to South African butterflies ... 7 Red List of South African butterflies ............................................................... 10 Red List taxa according to the IUCN (2001) categorisation ............................ 12 Statistics on proposed Red List taxa according to biome unit (BU) ............... 14 Red-Listed species per province of South Africa ............................................. 15 Reviews of threatened species ......................................................................... 19 A framework for conservation management of South African butterflies in practice ............................................................................................................ 68 Threatened butterflies in South Africa: trends since 1989 and a future perspective ....................................................................................................... 72 Annotated list of the South African butterfly taxa with Red List assessments .... 76 Photographs and maps .................................................................................. 113 References ...................................................................................................... 131 Appendix 1. IUCN Red Data Book Categories ............................................... 142 Appendix 2. An annotated checklist of previous Red Data Book species (S.F. Henning & G.A. Henning 1989) that are excluded from the present list ... 147 Appendix 3. The IUCN Red List of 2002 with an indication of retained and excluded taxa ................................................................................................. 151 Index .............................................................................................................. 152

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The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa

In 1983 a Lepidoptera study group of southern Africa was formed to promote an active exchange of knowledge about butterflies and moths. The study group became the Lepidopterists' Society of Southern Africa and by 1996 it became officially known as the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa (LepSoc). By this time, co-operative efforts encompassed the acquisition of knowledge about the Lepidoptera of the whole Afrotropical Region (Crosskey & White 1977). The major objectives of LepSoc are the scientific study of Lepidoptera in the Afrotropics, the publication of original scientific and popular material, the conservation of Lepidoptera, and the provision of infrastructure that promotes interactions between its members, as well as with wider society. The actions of the unique blend of amateur and professional members within LepSoc have resulted in a marked rise in both the public's appreciation of and the scientific community's interest in African butterflies and moths. Notable achievements of LepSoc during its short 25-year history include the establishment of four gazetted `butterfly' reserves in South Africa, a quarterly specialist journal, Metamorphosis, a number of books of a scientific nature, and numerous public presentations, conferences, workshops and exhibitions, many aimed at understanding and conserving the Afrotropical fauna.

The Council of LepSoc commissioned Graham Henning, its present council member responsible for conservation matters, to revise and update the first Red Data Book on South African butterflies compiled by S.F. Henning & G.A. Henning (1989), in particular applying the categories and criteria for threats provided by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2001. All members of LepSoc were invited to provide input, should they so wish. A number of provincial contributors, as well as two co-editors, were appointed to the task team. For a number of years, both co-editors as well as some other members have been involved in a number of research projects specifically related to butterfly conservation, some of them registered at various South African universities. This has resulted in the accumulation of nearly two decades of fieldbased experience and expertise since the publication of the first Red Data Book in 1989. This has now been incorporated in the current work which, it is hoped, would provide a document that more clearly identifies the threats faced by South African butterflies and give conservation managers and others a more robust framework on which decisions can be based.

Recently, LepSoc has paid much attention to partnerships, building on the unique and very rewarding association with the African Butterfly Research Institute (ABRI) in Nairobi, Kenya. New partnerships include collaboration with the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) of the University of Cape Town and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) This tripartite association, the South African Butterfly Conservation Assessment (SABCA), is aimed at compiling a comprehensive butterfly atlas for South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. The atlas will also be used to refine the conservation assessment of South African butterflies. The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa much appreciates the publication of the present Red Data Book by SANBI.

Lepidopterists' Society of Africa

Established 1983 Co. reg. 2006/035742/08. Section 21 Company not for gain. PO Box 2048, Northwold, 2155, South Africa

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