Thousands of rare ants stolen from Devon nature reserve

Thieves have stolen a nest belonging to rare narrow-headed ants from a nature reserve in South Devon, say Devon Wildlife Trust.

It is understood the theft was discovered in mid-October after conservation researchers found a hollow where the ants’ nest had been.

The surrounding ground at the site in Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve showed “clear signs” of being dug with a spade.

Chudleigh Knighton Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means the area has a high conservation value - it is home to rare flora, fauna, and geology.

It’s against the law to deliberately disturb or remove anything from a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Narrow-headed ants are also themselves protected. They are recognised as ‘nationally rare’ and ‘near threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

The stolen nest, which is home to a colony of between one and five thousand ants, forms part of the last “stronghold” for the species in England, according to Devon Wildlife Trust. The only other known colonies exist in Scotland.

Narrow-headed ants are named for their distinctive ‘pinched’ heads. They were once widespread, however it is understood their numbers have dwindled as the species loses its heathland homes to building development and agricultural change.

“Narrow-headed ants are an extremely rare species,” said Laura Krusin, conservation charity Buglife’s conservation officer. “Removal of any nests can have a catastrophic impact on the population, putting even more pressure on an already threatened species.

“The destruction to this wonderful site and the removal of the Narrow-headed Ants that call it home is heart-breaking and highlights the threats still impacting these rare invertebrates!”

The ant nest theft follows recent conservation efforts in collaboration between Devon Wildlife Trust and Buglife. Since the summer, the two organisations have worked to “specifically target improvements to secure the future of narrow-headed ants locally”.

Julia Balfour, Devon Wildlife Trust’s species recovery officer 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.”

Devon Wildlife Trust say the theft has been reported to Devon and Cornwall Police and are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

You can contact the police by calling 101 or filling in an online form, quoting crime reference 50260284768.