The ecology and conservation of Thestor brachycerus brachycerus (Trimen, 1883): an aphytophagous miletine butterfly from South Africa

摘要: The existing knowledge of the biology and ecology butterfly genus Thestor is summarised, conservation status Critically Endangered brachycerus reviewed. biotopes two hitherto unknown littoral colonies are compared with known inland fynbos site. size extant populations recorded as a future monitoring baseline. relationship between habitat structure territorial behaviour males explored. Female oviposition substrates recorded, it inferred that larvae aphytophagous. No correlation was detected vegetation composition presence populations. A requirement for low level male perching sites to engender thence mating assessed key resource. commonest ant found in pitfall traps both within outside Anoplolepis custodiens, associate butterflies. Future research should focus on determining associations food resources all larval stages.