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Rare ant colony stolen from England’s last stronghold in Devon
A nest of England’s rarest ant species has been dug up and stolen from Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve in south Devon. The loss matters because the reserve is the species’ last stronghold in England, and established colonies take years to develop.
Researchers discovered the theft in mid-October, finding a hollow where a known nest had been. Devon Wildlife Trust’s latest survey recorded 142 active nests at the reserve; each colony may contain 1,000 to 5,000 ants and long-lived breeding queens. The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, where removing material is against the law, and the theft has been reported to police.
In short
- A Narrow-headed ant nest was stolen from a Devon reserve.
- The site is the species’ last stronghold in England.
- The theft was reported to Devon and Cornwall Police.
Explained simply
The narrow-headed ant is one of Britain’s rarest ant species, living in colonies built around long-lived queens. A colony can take years to become established, so losing a nest can affect the species beyond the ants removed.
Chudleigh Knighton Heath is a protected nature reserve in south Devon and the species’ last stronghold in England. Its colonies are monitored by conservationists, including Devon Wildlife Trust, to track how the population is faring.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Nest of England’s rarest ant species stolen from Devon nature reserve”.