Rare Ant Nest Stolen from England’s Last Survival Site
A narrow‑headed ant colony of up to 5,000 individuals was ripped from Devon’s Chudleigh Knighton Heath, the only place in England where the species still lives.
Shocking theft at a fragile reserve
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) announced that a nest of England’s rarest ant, the narrow‑headed ant, was dug up and taken from Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve in south Devon.
The reserve is the last location in England where this species survives.
What was taken?
A single nest can house between 1,000 and 5,000 ants, along with one or more breeding queens that may live for up to 25 years.
Researchers conducting routine checks in mid‑October found a fresh hole where a known nest had been and “clear signs of digging with a spade”.
Why it matters
Stephen Hussey of DWT said the thief must have had “prior knowledge” of ant colonies to locate the nest, noting that “we keep a close eye on them, so we know exactly where the nests are, but it’s not obvious to someone who doesn’t know about ants.”
Julia Balfour, the species recovery officer, called the loss “significant”, stressing that each mature nest represents many years of slow growth that cannot be quickly replaced.
She likened the crime to illegal raids on wild bird eggs, highlighting the pressure on protected wildlife.
Possible motives
Hussey speculated that the theft could be an ill‑conceived “rewilding” attempt, moving ants to former habitats, but warned that such relocation requires expertise and extensive effort, making success unlikely.
Another theory is that an insect collector may have taken the nest.
Legal response and next steps
The incident has been reported to Devon and Cornwall Police. PC Lucy Wyatt of the rural affairs team reminded the public that sites of special scientific interest are legally protected and that it is a criminal offence to intentionally damage or disturb them.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them via the Devon and Cornwall police website.
DWT said it is reviewing security at the reserve and will continue regular ant checks.
The theft sets back years of careful work by staff, volunteers and partners, and underscores the vulnerability of England’s only remaining narrow‑headed ant population.
