On the basis of type locality and colour implied by the name, Davis et al. (2020) suggested that types of Proagoderus sapphirinus (Limpopo River), and the blue/green P. aureiceps (Delagoa Bay), should be compared to ensure that the latter is not a junior synonym of P. sapphirinus.

As currently understood P. aureiceps is a blue/green east coastal and north South African species whereas P. sapphirinus is a green species with red undertones centred on the southern Kalahari and surrounding deep sand outliers (Davis et al. 2020). In the most recent revision, however, Palestrini (1992) describes P. sapphirinus as "purplish-red with a green sheen" although the countries of distribution coincide with those stated by Davis et al. (2020) and certainly refer to the same species (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023).

Proagoderus sapphirinus has been listed as Least Concern. The species has a large extent of occurrence of more than 1,000,000 km², occurs on different types of dung, and receives protection within a number of conserved areas. It is therefore unlikely to be affected by any major threats.

This species was described from the margins of the River Limpopo, which extends from the eastern edge of the Kalahari to the east coastline (Fahraeus 1857). For the purpose of this assessment, the species is considered to have a distribution centred in the dry southern Kalahari basin of central southern Africa and in outlier islands of deep sands to the north and east of the Kalahari. The eastern range limits are in central Mozambique and the eastern African coast at the mouth of the Zambezi, while the western limits lie at the edge of the Namib Desert (Davis et al. 2020). As such, the range of the species covers areas of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, southern Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe (Australian CSIRO 1970-1986 unpublished records, Schoolmeesters 2011, Davis et al. 2020), although reports from southern Zambia need validation (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023). Its distribution overlaps with related species in the north (southern Angola and southern Zambia) (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023).

Recorded population densities of this species are relatively low, although it has been observed in higher numbers immediately following rainfall (Davis 1996).

Qualitative collection records are primarily from dry savanna grassland and open woodland mainly on deep sands but occasionally on very sandy loam. In a quantitative survey across farms in the Northern Cape, South Africa, it was restricted to the deep sands of the southwest Kalahari (3.9 per trap) and did not occur in the adjoining Nama Karoo (Davis et al. 2008). In a quantitative survey of six areas within game reserves across the Botswana Kalahari, this species was recorded only as a rarity in the moister northeast in Chobe National Park, and then only in the open shrubland vegetation of Savuti (total 9) and not at all in woodland (Tshikae 2011). In the drier southwest, it was recorded more abundantly both in the south of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (total 51) and in Mabuasehube Game Reserve (total 30) but not in the most arid southwest part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. In a deep sand outlier near Tshwane/Pretoria in South Africa, it was recorded in equal abundance in grassland (total 151) and open woodland (total 172), but more uncommonly in thickets (total 58) (Davis 1996). It was absent from an adjoining area of sandy clay loam soils. In two localities in Chobe National Park in Botswana, it was attracted to pig dung (0.6 per trap), carrion, elephant, and sheep dung (0.2 per trap), and cattle dung (0.1 per trap) (Tshikae et al. 2008). Near Tshwane, it also showed greatest attraction to pig dung (total 87), with lower numbers attracted to carrion (total 54), horse (total 35), and cattle dung (total 36) (Davis 1994). However, a few were also attracted to rotted grass clippings (total 5) and overripe banana (total 8). It is found primarily in the Kalahari xeric savanna but also occur in outlier islands or larger areas of open vegetation on deep sands in the Southern Africa bushveld (AT0717), Kalahari Acacia-Baikiaea woodlands (AT0709) and the Zambezian Baikiaea woodlands (AT0726) (ecoregions based on Olson et al. 2001).

Some environmental characteristics for 131 southern African locality records are as follows: elevation: 0-1,624 m; mean annual rainfall: 56-1,254 mm; mean annual temperature: 16.2-24.6 °C (Davis et al. 2020).

As this species is attracted to various dung types, carrion, rotted vegetation and fruit on both farms and in reserves, it is unlikely to be seriously threatened at present. Much of its range lies within areas used primarily for livestock grazing in which there has been little land transformation (Davis et al. 2020).

There is no use or trade information available for this species.

There are no species-specific conservation actions in place for this species. At present, it is unlikely to require conservation action as it is provided with a measure of protection in the Transfrontier Kalahari Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Taxonomic clarification may be needed to determine the status of the name Progaderus sapphirinus and of subpopulations presently assigned to this species and P. auriceps (Davis et al. 2020).