Waterberg Copper

The Waterberg Copper, Erikssonia edgei (Lycaenidae: Theclinae) has only recently been recognised as a species distinct from Erikssonia acraeina (Gardiner & Terblanche 2010). It was discovered by Dave and Esmé Edge in December 1980 when they found a strong colony in the Waterberg mountains near Jan Trichardt's Pass. This was an unexpected find and soon the species was the subject of extensive study by conservationists

It was found to be closely related to the Aloeides Rough Coppers and like them, associated with ground nesting ants. The larvae were found to feed on Gnidia kraussiana (Thymeliaceae) a common toxic plant in the area. They sheltered in the ants' nests, where the pupae were formed. It is very likely that the butterfly's black-spotted orange markings are a sign of unpalatability and it may well form part of a mimicry ring with the Dancing Acraea Telchinia serena, also found in the area.

In the early 1990's the provincial boundaries were redrawn and during this period, the land use was changed. Burning and grazing ceased, and the watch on this butterfly was not maintained. It was found in the late 1990's that the locality was overgrown and the foodplants senescent. As of today the butterfly has not been seen in the wild for over 10 years and lepidopterists are seriously worried about it.

The butterfly is low flying and reluctant to move from its home range, so other colonies may survive unnoticed in the Waterberg. Each year, members of the Lepidopterists' Society revisit the area in the hope of rediscovering it. Why not contact the Society and go along on one of the visits? And if you own a farm in the Waterberg, keep a very close eye out for it...

In the latest Red Data Book: butterflies E. edgei has been listed as Critically Endangered (Henning et al. 2009).

References:

Dobson, J. & Garvie, O. 2005. A report by the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa on the current status of the South African population of Erikssonia acraeina Trimen, 1891 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Metamorphosis 16(3): 67-71.

Edge, D.A. 1982. Rediscovery of a rare butterfly. Rostrum, Newsletter of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa 2: 2

Gardiner, A.J. & Terblanche, R.F. 2010. Taxonomy, biology, biogeography, evolution and conservation of the genus Erikssonia Trimen (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). African Entomology 18(1): 171-191.

Garvie, O. & Williams, M. 2006. A report on behalf of the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa on the monitoring of Erikssonia acraeina Trimen, 1891 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Metamorphosis 17(4): 151-155.

Henning, G.A., Terblanche, R.F. & Ball, J.B. 2009. South African Red Data Book: butterflies. SANBI Biodiversity Series 13. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Henning, S.F. 1984. Life history and behaviour of the rare myrmecophilous lycaenid Erikssonia acraeina Trimen (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa 47(2): 337-342.

Henning, S.F. & Henning, G.A. 1984. Life history and behaviour of Erikssonia acraeina Trimen (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Metamorphosis 1: 1-4.

Trimen, R. 1891. On butterflies collected in tropical south-western Africa by Mr. A.W. Eriksson. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1891: 59-107.