INVERTEBRATES
Brenton blue, Orachrysops niobe
Discovered in 1858, the Brenton blue butterfly is a species of butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is endemic to South Africa, and is regarded as critically endangered. It was thought that the butterfly had died out, but it was discovered again in 1977 at Nature's Valley 50 km to the east of Knysna. Today, it is only found in the Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve, in Brenton-on-Sea, near Knysna in the Western Cape. The reserve needs to be carefully monitored and managed, so that the health and availability of the butterfly's food plant, Indigofera erecta, is sustained. In addition, viable colonies of the ant species, Camponotus baynei, to which the Brenton Blue's lifecycle is strongly linked, need to be present. The wingspan is 24–38 mm for males and 22–42 mm for females. Adults fly from October to November and from February to March. The butterfly is the type species of the genus Orachrysops, and is listed as critically endangered.
Cape stag beetle, Colophon stokoei
The Colophon stag beetles are listed as endangered and are endemic to high altitude mountains in the Western Cape and are often referred to as ‘mountain relics’. All Colophon species are listed as endangered, and this genus is under threat by indiscriminate collectors, habitat destruction and climate change. It is heavily protected by nature conservation laws with hefty penalties imposed for illegal collecting, and no trade, exchange or sale of Colophon species is allowed. Colophon stokoei is only found in the Hottentots Holland, Palmiet, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Berg River and Wellington mountains. Little is known about its biology but larvae probably feed on roots of plants such as restios. Colophon beetles are medium sized and body sizes varies from about 14mm to 34mm, including the jaws. They are dark brown and heavy bodied like the dung beetles with and have toothed forelegs for digging. Colophon are flightless but have basic wings under their wing covers. This prevents Colophon beetles from easily escaping fire and indiscriminate collectors as other insects do. They have all-round vision when in wet conditions with their eyes set on the side of the flattened head. Females cannot be as easily differentiated as the males. Colophon beetles are active for a very short period in summer and most sightings take place from November to January. Colophon's activities are restricted to early mornings and late afternoons, even after sunset, in cool misty, foggy and even rainy conditions. Being soil dwelling insects, they have probably evolved ways of avoiding fire.
Cave cricket, Speleiacris tubulae
This endemic invertebrate are commonly found in caves but restricted and endemic to the slopes of Table Mountain. They are brownish in color and rather humpbacked in appearance, always wingless, and up to two 5 cm long in body and 10 cm for the legs. The bodies of baby crickets may appear transparent. Their distinctive limbs and antennae serve a double purpose. Typically living in a lightless environment, or active at night, they rely heavily on their sense of touch, which is limited by reach. Given their limited vision, cave crickets will often jump towards any perceived threat in an attempt to frighten it away. Although they look intimidating, they are completely harmless.
Discovered in 1858, the Brenton blue butterfly is a species of butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is endemic to South Africa, and is regarded as critically endangered. It was thought that the butterfly had died out, but it was discovered again in 1977 at Nature's Valley 50 km to the east of Knysna. Today, it is only found in the Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve, in Brenton-on-Sea, near Knysna in the Western Cape. The reserve needs to be carefully monitored and managed, so that the health and availability of the butterfly's food plant, Indigofera erecta, is sustained. In addition, viable colonies of the ant species, Camponotus baynei, to which the Brenton Blue's lifecycle is strongly linked, need to be present. The wingspan is 24–38 mm for males and 22–42 mm for females. Adults fly from October to November and from February to March. The butterfly is the type species of the genus Orachrysops, and is listed as critically endangered.
Cape stag beetle, Colophon stokoei
The Colophon stag beetles are listed as endangered and are endemic to high altitude mountains in the Western Cape and are often referred to as ‘mountain relics’. All Colophon species are listed as endangered, and this genus is under threat by indiscriminate collectors, habitat destruction and climate change. It is heavily protected by nature conservation laws with hefty penalties imposed for illegal collecting, and no trade, exchange or sale of Colophon species is allowed. Colophon stokoei is only found in the Hottentots Holland, Palmiet, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Berg River and Wellington mountains. Little is known about its biology but larvae probably feed on roots of plants such as restios. Colophon beetles are medium sized and body sizes varies from about 14mm to 34mm, including the jaws. They are dark brown and heavy bodied like the dung beetles with and have toothed forelegs for digging. Colophon are flightless but have basic wings under their wing covers. This prevents Colophon beetles from easily escaping fire and indiscriminate collectors as other insects do. They have all-round vision when in wet conditions with their eyes set on the side of the flattened head. Females cannot be as easily differentiated as the males. Colophon beetles are active for a very short period in summer and most sightings take place from November to January. Colophon's activities are restricted to early mornings and late afternoons, even after sunset, in cool misty, foggy and even rainy conditions. Being soil dwelling insects, they have probably evolved ways of avoiding fire.
Cave cricket, Speleiacris tubulae
This endemic invertebrate are commonly found in caves but restricted and endemic to the slopes of Table Mountain. They are brownish in color and rather humpbacked in appearance, always wingless, and up to two 5 cm long in body and 10 cm for the legs. The bodies of baby crickets may appear transparent. Their distinctive limbs and antennae serve a double purpose. Typically living in a lightless environment, or active at night, they rely heavily on their sense of touch, which is limited by reach. Given their limited vision, cave crickets will often jump towards any perceived threat in an attempt to frighten it away. Although they look intimidating, they are completely harmless.