The Karoo BioGaps project (KBGP) data acquisition phase was executed between March 2016 and December 2018. Butterfly surveyors made 82 visits to 46 survey sites, selected statistically to represent the types of habitats found in the Karoo. 600 species records were made of 101 species and 262 DNA samples were collected. The data have been analysed to compare expected butterfly occurrence with the actual observations; identify new quarter degree grid square species records and new species records for the entire KBGP study region; assess the impact of the new data on the Red List status of selected butterfly taxa; identify the butterfly functional types found in the Karoo; determine the average species richness in the Karoo vegetation types and biomes; and assess the impact of rainfall and veld condition on species richness. Recommendations are made to improve the efficiency of data acquisition in future surveys in the Karoo.