Conservation researchers discovered the excavated nest during routine checks in mid-October at the species' final remaining English habitat. Mature colonies can support up to 5,000 ants and breeding queens that live up to 25 years, making their removal a severe blow to recovery projects. Devon Wildlife Trust and police suspect the perpetrator had specialized knowledge and may have acted for a private collection or an unauthorized rewilding scheme. Devon and Cornwall police are investigating the criminal disturbance while site managers review reserve security.
Key points
Devon and Cornwall police are treating the intentional removal of the protected colony as…: Devon and Cornwall police are treating the intentional removal of the protected colony as a criminal offense.
Historic habitat destruction driven by development and agriculture has wiped out this for…: Historic habitat destruction driven by development and agriculture has wiped out this formerly widespread heathland ant across southern England.
Reserve managers are actively reviewing site security measures while investigators seek p…: Reserve managers are actively reviewing site security measures while investigators seek public tips regarding the theft.
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A nest containing up to 5,000 of England’s rarest ant species has been stolen from a nature reserve, a conservation charity has said.
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) said a nest of narrow-headed ants had been dug up and taken from Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve in south Devon, which is the last place in England where the species still exists.
A single nest can hold a colony of between 1,000 and 5,000 ants, along with one or more breeding queens, which can live for up to 25 years.
DWT said the theft was discovered by conservation researchers carrying out regular checks in mid-October, who found a hole where a known nest had been and “clear signs of digging with a spade”.
Narrow-headed ants, which are named after the distinctive “pinched” look of their heads, were once widespread across southern England in heathlands. However, their numbers have shrunk over the last 100 years due to habitat loss caused by agricultural change and building developments. Now they are classified as a section 41 species, nationally rare, and near threatened on the International…
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