Monitoring of the eggs of the Karkloof blue butterfly, Orachrysops ariadne , for its conservation management

摘要: The Endangered Orachrysops ariadne (Butler 1898) (Karkloof blue butterfly) is endemic to the Moist Midlands Grassland in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and extant at four sites. results from monitoring of eggs laid by O. a grassland area that frequently burnt poor rural people ensure palatable grass available their livestock, suggested implementation management interventions (fencing firebreak burning) prevent local extinction butterfly. number site declined dramatically between 2002 2003 fluctuated after were initiated properly 2008, but had nearly reached target 250 2013. An index count method for other three known colonies, where plant invasion rather than uncontrolled burning major threat, was developed shown be efficient with regard time relative sampled. host ant Camponotus natalensis (F. Smith 1858) (Natal sugar ant) found present all host-plant patches one colony site, indicating are likely breeding areas Invasive control appropriate habitat should assist ensuring survival these colonies. Conservation implications: Adaptive threatened invertebrates habitats may crucial continued survival. development methods such species required resources limited, as threats cause sudden irreversible declines population size.