Threatened Butterflies of South Africa
The Lepidopterists' Society of Africa published the Red Data Book on butterflies during 2009, but have decided to make the information relating to the threatened species available as a downloadable PDF document. Follow the link below to download or view the extract of the critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable butterfly species.
Lepidochrysops Research Project
Butterflies are mainly considered to be herbivorous, and this is true for more than 99% of theestimated 18,000 species (Pierce, 1995). Around 75% of the approximately 6000 species of thefamily Lycaenidae are associated with ants in some way, and it has been proposed that antassociation has lead to the diversification of the family (Pierce, 1984; Pierce et al., 2002).
BCW Results
The following results for the butterfly census weeks are available :
Butterfly Census Week 4:
Photographic Competition 2011 Results
The results for the photographic competition 2011 has been released. Have a look at the following PDF file!
Gardening for butterflies in Gauteng
Gardening practices have changed a lot in the past few years. More and more people focus on creating indigenous gardens that are wildlife friendly. We all know that indigenous plants attract more wildlife to our gardens than exotic plants, but all too often people plant indigenous plants but never see the butterflies that they intended to attract.
SA Butterfly Census Weeks
South Africa's Butterfly Census Weeks (BCWs) are held biannually, usually around Autumn and Spring. The first few BCWs were part of the SABCA project but all censuses are now coordinated through LepSoc.
SABCA
SABCA (South African Butterfly Conservation Assessment) is a joint project between Lepsoc, ADU (Animal Demography Unit at University of Cape Town) and SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute). The main aim of the project is to establish a current Atlas of South African butterflies and to determine the Conservation Status of each species in line with SANBI’s overall goal of achieving this for all animals and plants in South Africa.
Taxonomic changes
Hi All
Recently there have been several name changes in the literature. Mark Williams has kindly listed and summarised them for us:
Why join Lepsoc Africa?
If you've found our site, chances are you're curious about butterflies and moths and decided to have a look. As you can see, some parts of the site are hidden to non-members. We haven't done this to be difficult; we just want to ask people to contribute to the Society so we can improve our services and achieve our objectives.
Lepsoc - the vision for the next ten years
This is the text of a position paper given in the President's Address at the 2010 AGM and Conference, entitled 'Vision 2020'. It sets out to describe where the Society could be by the year 2020, if we take advantage of the opportunities we have as a result of the success of SABCA.
Workshop on Lepidoptera Research in the Afro-tropical region
18-21 November 2011; Field trip 21-25 November 2011
Conservation
Go here to see articles on our rare and endangered Lepidoptera:
Who's Online Now
Sponsor links
The following companies sponsored prizes in the 2011 Photographic Competition:
Upcoming Events
- ADU 20th Anniversary
February 11, 2012 (All Day)Celebrating the role of Citizen Scientists with the SABAP 1&2 Bird Atlas Projects, Southern African Frog Atlas Project...
Clivia Room, National Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg Doug Harebottle +27 82 736 3087, +27 21 650 2330 - FORUM HERBULOT 2012, Research into African Geometridae - Quo Vadis?
February 12, 2012 (8:00 AM) - February 18, 2012 (8:00 AM)There has been an upsurge of scientific interest in African Geometridae in recent years. This comes not a moment too...
Hermann Staude, +27 82 651 9004. - KRANTZKLOOF NATURE RESERVE - BUTTERFLY WALK
March 18, 2012 (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)Walk to Nqutu Gorge - spectacular scenery and chances to see Dimorphic Tiger and Karkloof Emperor. The meeting place is...
Richard Hancox on 082 343 0928 - Nkandla ariadne survey
April 28, 2012 (7:00 AM) - May 02, 2012 (7:00 AM)Weekend with Matshenezimpisi Conservancy, look for the Nkandla population of Orachrysops ariadne, and the nearby...
Humphrey Ndaba 078 197 4581 Kevin Cockburn 083 783 5346
SABCA
SABCA (South African Butterfly Conservation Assessment). Read more about this exciting project under Conservation -> SABCA
Red Data Book
The society has recently revised the Red Data Book on South African Butterflies. It is available from SANBI. More info will be posted shortly...
Public Awareness
One of LepSoc's and SABCA's goals is to increase public awareness about butterflies, using the virtual museum! In the VM members of the public can send in photographs for an expert panel to ID. For more information, click here!
