Mbashe River buff (SciiFii)

The Mbashe River buff is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The Mbashe River buff is endemic to the densely forested Mbhashe River area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to its former range to help boost biodiversity. The wingspan is 23–27 mm for males and 24–29 mm for females. Adults are on wing from September to October and from March to May. There are two generations per year. The larvae feeds on cyanobacteria species. The conservation status of the Mbashe River buff is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to conservationists, the Mbashe River buff is a protected species.