A list of 60 species embracing 1163 specimens of the family Scythrididae from western South Africa and Namibia is presented. The material was collected during 2016 in the course of two Finnish–Estonian expeditions to the Cape provinces of the RSA, and one further Estonian expedition to central and north-eastern Namibia. Eight new species are described from South Africa: Haploscythris karoocola sp. nov., H. orthogonella sp. nov., H. sihvoneni sp. nov., H. swartbergensis sp. nov., Scythris curtiphallus sp. nov., S. kgalagadica sp. nov., S. sippolai sp. nov., and S. vaalamoi sp. nov. The genitalia of previously unknown females of Scythris claudioculella Bengtsson, 2014, S. exsoluta Meyrick, 1920 and Scythris unciclavella Bengtsson, 2014 are described and illustrated, as well as the male genitalia of S. potgieteri Bengtsson, 2014 and S. worcesterensis Bengtsson, 2014. Scythris eburnella Bengtsson, 2014, S. kebirella (Amsel, 1935) and S. ugabensis Bengtsson, 2014 are reported as new to South Africa, and S. clemens Meyrick, 1921 as new to Namibia. The DNA barcodes were produced for 48 species. The known distribution range of each species is given, and the taxonomy of some species is briefly discussed.

A new species of Cooksonia Druce, 1905 from Zambia, C. gardineri sp. n. is added to the six species in the genus: C. trimeni Druce, 1905; C. neavei (Druce, 1912); C. aliciae Talbot, 1935; C. nozolinoi Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2007; C. abri Collins & Larsen, 2008; and C. ginettae Collins & Larsen, 2008.  A key to the species is provided and diagnostic features are discussed.

Nectar plant visitations by adult Callioratis millari were observed, and photographic evidence is presented that C. millari is a pollinator of one of its nectar plants Gnidia calocephala. A means of identifying individuals of C. millari was discovered. Other lepidopteran visitors to G. calocephala are listed. Establishment of dispersal corridors populated by suitable nectar plants is discussed and recommended.

Thirty-seven species of nectar-producing flowering plants were recorded in grassland at Entumeni Nature Reserve (ENR) during the normal flight period of Callioratis millari. This suggests no shortage of nectar for the adult C. millari. Eggs and larvae on grass cycads Stangeria eriopus at the ENR monitoring site and at the nearby Dreadnaught Peak Farm (DPF) were counted in May 2017, with the ENR yielding a satisfactory count since 2005, but DPF recording only one egg counted after a fire. In 2018 ENR recorded 26 eggs, whilst DPF had no eggs. The S. eriopus cycads established in a new grassland area at ENR had become overgrown by adjacent vegetation and no eggs or larvae were found. Pre-burn inspections were conducted at ENR and two distinct burning periods, one in mid-winter and the other in late winter are recommended to prevent dominance of certain indigenous grass species, encroaching indigenous shrubs and alien invasive plants. Further knowledge of the life history and ecology of C. millari is required to inform better monitoring techniques and optimal management of its habitat.