The full life cycle of South Africa’s more than 10 000 species of Lepidoptera remains mysterious, even in the age of Google. Citizen scientists have a big role to play, writes Justin Bode. It may surprise you to learn that we … Read More
New measurements show just how much pristine water Verloren Valei contributes to the total ecosystem. By James van den Heever The last time a scientific study of the water provided by the Verloren Valei wetlands was in October 1995. Now, … Read More
Dr Kyle Lloyd, Rockjumper Fellow of White-winged Flufftail Conservation, says that his research project about these mysterious birds hopes to help preserve the endangered wetlands which they and the rest of creation relies. By James van den Heever Dr Lloyd … Read More
The Birds and Flowers field trip led by Susan Abell and Geoff Lockwood was a great success, but the second day had to be cancelled owing to heavy rain. By James van den Heever The two-day field trip focusing on … Read More
This lovely little butterfly is easy to miss, but it’s well worth keeping an eye out for it in the vlei areas of Verloren Valei. By Justin Bode Harpendyreus noquasa, Marsh Mountain Blue, Moeras-bergbloutjie, as the names suggest, is a … Read More
Formerly thought only to occur at Verloren Valei, it now seems as though this butterfly is more widely dispersed. Serradinga clarki amissivallis, previously known as Clark’s Lost Widow and now renamed the Verloren Valei Bronze Speckled Widow, was previously thought … Read More
Verloren Valei is typified by its grasslands, and understanding them is essential to managing the reserve and preserving its huge biodiversity. By Mike Zingel When they think of Verloren Valei, people associate the place with orchids, birds or wetlands generally. … Read More
Gerrit van Ede led a small group on an orchid exploration between Christmas and New Year—the first day of the new lockdown. By James van den Heever For a moment, it seemed as though the immediate amended Level 3 lockdown … Read More
In what has become an annual event, LepSoc Africa hosted a field trip focused on butterflies on 12 December 2020. The LepSoc field trip this year was led by Jeremy Dobson, the President of LepSoc Africa and Justin Bode, the … Read More
In this article reprinted by kind permission of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Nkosinathi Nama looks at ways to manage biodiversity in a country where water resources are under pressure. Water is a precious resource and as a water scarce country, … Read More
