Papilio ophidicephalus zuluensis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Dave Edge

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Papilionidae

Reason for the sensitivity status

African Papilio are known to be traded regularly and lucratively. As this species has a vulnerable population size and a slow population growth rate, exploitation would not be withstood. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is either similar to or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.

Exploitation extent

Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.

Justification and references

There is a regular and lucrative trade in African Papilio and other large, showy butterflies. Examples are:

1) http://www.ebay.com/bhp/papilio

2) https://www.butterfliesandthings.com/product/category-0adf3141-b9f4-4927-82ef-6c3eb55aa6c5.aspx

3) http://classifieds.insectnet.com/hsx/classifieds.hsx?session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=42010&query=retrieval

Population vulnerability

Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km² OR species at risk of localised extinctions

Justification and references

A full conservation assessment of this taxon was done according to IUCN methodology and it was Red Listed as "Least Concern – Rare (Restricted Range)". The results are published in:

MECENERO, S., BALL, J.B., EDGE, D.A., HAMER, M.L., HENNING, G.A., KRÜGER. M., PRINGLE, E.L., TERBLANCHE, R.F. & WILLIAMS, M.C. (eds) 2013. Conservation assessment of butterflies of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: Red List and Atlas. Johannesburg & Cape Town: Saftronics (Pty.) Ltd. & Animal Demography Unit. 676 pp.

The red listing also appears on SANBI's Red List website:

http://speciesstatus.sanbi.org/assessment/last-assessment/1164/

Targeted demographics

Unknown.

Regeneration potential

This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.

Justification and references

It can be seen by studying the references that this butterfly has always had a restricted range and it is never found in great numbers. It can be inferred that it has a slow population growth rate and would not be able to withstand exploitation.

PRINGLE, E.L.L., HENNING, G.A. & BALL, J.B. 1994. Pennington's butterflies of southern Africa. 2nd edn. Struik Winchester, Cape Town. 800 pp.

VAN SON, G. 1939. Notes on the menestheus group of Papilio L. and the South African races of Papilio ophidicephalus Oberthür. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 19: 62.