A new conservation project is set to provide a more secure future for two of the UK’s rarest ant species.
The ants in question are the Narrow-headed Ant (Formica exsecta), the only English population of which is found at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve, and the Erratic Ant (Tapinoma erraticum), a Nationally Scarce species which was recently discovered living at the Trust’s Bovey Heathfield nature reserve. Together, the two nature reserves are among the best and largest remaining examples of a heathland landscape that once covered much of the surrounding area of South Devon.
The Narrow-headed Ant takes its name from the distinctive ‘pinched-look’ of its head. The species is also found at a few sites in Scotland, with one recent discovery on the Royal estate at Balmoral capturing national headlines.
The Erratic Ant’s name originates from its high-energy foraging behaviour, which sees it scamper with meandering and unpredictable movements.
Both ants have seen dramatic national and local declines in numbers over the last 150 years, mostly because of the loss of their favoured heathland homes. It’s estimated that the UK’s lowland heaths have shrunk by 85% during that time due to changing agricultural land use, the planting of conifer plantations, building and road developments, and poor management.
Now a new project is planning to improve the remaining heathland homes of both the Narrow-headed and Erratic Ants, while also safeguarding their futures by starting new colonies at suitable sites nearby.
The project is a collaboration between two conservation charities – Devon Wildlife Trust and Buglife. The three-year project is being supported with £212,936 by the Species Recovery Programme, part of a £90million national initiative administered by Natural England aimed at halting and reversing declines in threatened species.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserve Officer Chris Moulton looks after the ants’ home sites at both Chudleigh Knighton Heath and Bovey Heathfield nature reserves. Chris said:
“Support from the Species Recovery Programme is wonderful news for Devon’s wildlife. It will help us take three vital steps in the work of conserving these rare ants.
First, it will allow us to undertake crucial management work to improve the heathland habitat at both nature reserves, securing their existing homes. Our target for Narrow-headed Ants will be to double their nest numbers from 200 to more than 400 at Chudleigh Knighton Heath.
Second, it will allow us to prepare the right conditions at our other heathland reserves, including those at Ideford Common and Teigngrace Meadow, so that we can introduce ants from both species into these new locations, spreading their range and reducing the vulnerability which comes with having just a single home.
Third, we’ll be able to put in place monitoring of existing and new colonies to accurately assess how both Narrow-headed and Erratic Ants fare in the future.”
The benefits of this work will not only be felt by the ants but will include many other heathland residents, including birds such as Nightjars and Dartford Warblers, butterflies like the Silver-studded Blue, along with reptiles including Adders and Slow Worms.
Buglife Conservation Officer, Laura Krusin, says:
“The Narrow-headed Ant is only found at one site in England, and the Erratic Ant is also Nationally Scarce, putting these species survival at risk. This funding through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme will help secure the future of these incredible ant species for future generations. We are incredibly proud to be working with Devon Wildlife Trust to protect these species, help boost their populations, and continue monitoring both species to ensure they thrive.”
While Natural England Chair, Tony Juniper, adds:
“For decades Natural England’s vital species recovery work has revealed how even the rarest of the rare can be brought back from the brink. The red kite, lady’s slipper orchid, pool frog, beaver and large blue butterfly are among examples that demonstrate the many opportunities at hand and what can be achieved for nature and wider society.
“We know that good science and effective partnerships can help restore species to favourable status, and this funding will enable us to support many initiatives to help halt and reverse the decline of our wonderful wildlife.”
The project also promises to leave a legacy long into the future. It will produce Species Recovery Plans to guide long term conservation of both ant species across South Devon and beyond at other lowland heaths in Dorset, Surrey, and Hampshire.
Image: Narrow-headed Ant (Formica exsecta) feeding on a moth wing © Alex Hyde, Back from the Brink