A nest belonging to one of England’s rarest ant species has been stolen, according to a conservation charity.
The nest of narrow-headed ants was taken from Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve in south Devon.
Devon Wildlife Trust said the theft was discovered in mid-October, when researchers found a hollow in the ground where a known nest had stood.
The nest is believed to have been dug out with a spade and removed from the reserve.
Narrow-headed ants are listed by the IUCN as nationally rare and near threatened with extinction.
A single nest may contain between 1,000 and 5,000 ants, as well as one or more breeding queens. Those queens can live for up to 25 years.
Chudleigh Knighton Heath is also designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it is illegal to remove any material from the reserve.
Julia Balfour, the trust’s species recovery officer, said: ‘This is a crime every bit as serious as illegal raids on wild bird eggs.’
Narrow-headed ants are listed by the IUCN as nationally rare and near threatened with extinction.
The reserve is the species’ last stronghold in England.
Only a small number of colonies are known to survive in Scotland, including on the Royal Family’s Balmoral Estate.
The ants get their name from the distinctive ‘pinched’ appearance of their heads. Once widespread, the species has declined sharply over the past century.
The loss of heathland habitat to building development and changes in farming has been a major factor in that decline.
Ms Balfour added: ‘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 be quickly replaced.
‘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.
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‘This incident makes us even more determined to ensure that our work to secure their future succeeds.’
The theft has been reported to Devon and Cornwall Police. Devon Wildlife Trust is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Steve Hussey, of Devon Wildlife Trust, said: ‘We’re unsure why anyone would take a narrow-headed ant nest from our nature reserve.
‘It may have been taken for someone’s collection, or perhaps in a misguided attempt to reintroduce the species at another site.
‘Whatever the motive, this was a reckless act that places even greater pressure on an already rare and endangered species.
‘People removing wildlife from our nature reserves is, sadly, far from unusual.
‘In most cases, however, the incidents involve bird eggs, nestlings or rare fungi.
‘This is the first time we’ve experienced the loss of an ant nest.’
The scene of the theft at Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve, where a nest of narrow-headed ants was removed
Local conservation work has been intensified to help safeguard the future of the ants.
Devon Wildlife Trust and Buglife began working together this summer after receiving support from the UK Government through the ‘Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife’ initiative.
Laura Krusin, a conservation officer at Buglife, said: ‘Narrow-headed ants are an extremely rare species, known from only one site in Devon and a handful of sites in Scotland.
‘The removal of even one nest can therefore have a catastrophic impact on the population, placing additional pressure on an already threatened species.
‘Not only are these ants incredibly special, but Chudleigh Knighton Heath itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the ants and the other species it supports.
‘Any damage to the site or removal of material is a criminal offence and should be treated seriously.
‘The damage to this wonderful site, and the removal of the narrow-headed ants that live there, is heartbreaking. It highlights the threats that continue to affect these rare invertebrates.’
PC Lucy Wyatt, from the rural affairs team at Devon & Cornwall Police, said: ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest are legally protected, and it is a criminal offence for anyone to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or disturb a protected area.
