Thieves steal rare ants’ nest from Devon nature reserve
Thieves have stolen a nest belonging to England’s rarest ant species from a protected nature reserve in south Devon, in what conservationists have described as a significant blow to efforts to secure its future.
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has reported the theft of a Narrow-headed Ant nest from Chudleigh Knighton Heath, the last remaining stronghold of the species in England.
The theft was discovered in mid-October when conservation researchers carrying out routine checks found a hollow where a known nest had previously been. The surrounding ground showed clear signs of having been dug up with a spade.
A single Narrow-headed Ant nest can contain between 1,000 and 5,000 ants, including one or more breeding queens which can live for up to 25 years. Established colonies develop slowly, meaning the loss of a mature nest represents years of growth that cannot easily be replaced.
The incident has been reported to Devon and Cornwall Police, and DWT is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Chudleigh Knighton Heath is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Narrow-headed Ant is a Section 41 species, classified as Nationally Rare and Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Deliberately disturbing the site or removing material from the reserve without permission is a criminal offence.
Julia Balfour, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Species Recovery Officer for Narrow-headed Ants, said: “The removal of an established nest is a significant loss for this species. Narrow-headed Ant colonies develop slowly, and each mature nest, with its long-lived queens, represents many years of growth that cannot quickly be replaced. This is a crime every bit as serious as illegal raids on wild bird eggs. It shows the pressures that our nature and wild places are under.
“Our most recent survey recorded 142 active nests on the nature reserve, so every nest matters. This is the last population of Narrow-headed Ants in England, and losing even one colony sets back years of careful work by our staff, volunteers and partners.
“This incident makes us even more determined to ensure that our work to secure their future is a success.”
The species, named after the distinctive pinched appearance of its head, was once much more widespread across the country. However, its numbers have declined over the past century as its preferred heathland habitat has been lost through building development and agricultural change. Small numbers of colonies remain in Scotland, including on the Royal Family’s Balmoral Estate.
The theft comes as conservation work to protect the species has recently begun in the area. A partnership between Devon Wildlife Trust and Buglife was launched over the summer, supported by the UK Government through its Wild Again: Restoring England's Wildlife initiative.
Laura Krusin, Buglife’s Conservation Officer for the Moor Invertebrates Project, said: “Narrow-headed Ants are an extremely rare species, only known from one site in Devon and a handful of sites in Scotland. Therefore, removal of any nests can have a catastrophic impact on the population, putting even more pressure on an already threatened species.
“Not only are the ants incredibly special, but Chudleigh Knighton Heath itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), for the ants and the other species it supports. Any damage to the site or removal of material is criminal and should be treated as a serious offence.
“The destruction to this wonderful site and the removal of the Narrow-headed Ants that call it home is heartbreaking and highlights the threats still impacting these rare invertebrates!”
PC Lucy Wyatt, from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team, said: “Sites of Special Scientific Interest are legally protected and it is a criminal offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy, or disturb the protected area.
“If you’ve seen anything suspicious in recent weeks or have any information that may assist us with our investigation, please contact us by calling 101 or filling in a form on the Devon & Cornwall Police website, quoting crime reference: 50260284768.”
Devon Wildlife Trust said it was reviewing security at the reserve and would continue its regular monitoring visits, carried out by staff and volunteers.
The charity is urging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity at Chudleigh Knighton Heath in recent weeks to contact police.