Poecilmitis swanepoeli
EN

Poecilmitis swanepoeli

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoritis_swanepoeli

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Poecilmitis swanepoeli faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development within its restricted range in South Africa's Western Cape. The species' dependence on specific host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to vegetation changes, while its limited distribution across fragmented fynbos remnants increases extinction risk from localized disturbances.

Threat summary

Habitat

This butterfly inhabits remnant fynbos vegetation in the Western Cape of South Africa, particularly areas with its specific host plants. The species requires intact natural vegetation communities that are increasingly fragmented by human activities.

Other threatened species in Lycaenidae

Brown ArgusVU

Brown Argus

Aricia agestis

Unknown
Iolas BlueVU

Iolas Blue

Iolana iolas

Unknown
Poecilmitis kaplaniVU

Poecilmitis kaplani

Unknown
Provence HairstreakVU

Provence Hairstreak

Tomares ballus

Unknown

Threatened in South Africa

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Black-Spotted Blue

Orachrysops mijburghi

Unknown
Cape GannetEN

Cape Gannet

Morus capensis

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Poecilmitis swanepoeli classified as Endangered?
Poecilmitis swanepoeli is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Poecilmitis swanepoeli faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development within its restricted range in South Africa's Western Cape. The species' dependence on specific host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to vegetation changes, while its limited distribution across fragmented fynbos remnants increases extinction risk from localized disturbances.
Where does Poecilmitis swanepoeli live?
Poecilmitis swanepoeli occurs in South Africa. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Poecilmitis swanepoeli?
The main threats to Poecilmitis swanepoeli are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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