Devon Wildlife Trust has announced a new initiative to restore and improve heathland habitats in Devon, England, with the specific goal of supporting two of the UK's rarest ant species: the narrow-headed ant and the erratic ant. The conservation plan focuses on managing the heathland environment to create the conditions these insects need to thrive, addressing decades of habitat loss and degradation that have pushed both species to the brink of local extinction.
Heathlands are open landscapes characterized by low-growing shrubs, grasses, and bare sandy soil, a habitat that has declined dramatically across the UK over the past century due to agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management. For ants like the narrow-headed ant and the erratic ant, these heathlands provide essential nesting sites and foraging grounds. The narrow-headed ant, known scientifically as Formica exsecta, is particularly vulnerable because it depends on warm, sunny, and well-drained heathland with sparse vegetation, where it builds distinctive mound nests. The erratic ant, or Myrmica speciosa, is similarly reliant on undisturbed heathland, often nesting in soil or under stones and feeding on small invertebrates and honeydew from aphids.
The Devon Wildlife Trust's plan involves a combination of habitat management techniques, including controlled grazing, scrub clearance, and the creation of bare ground patches to encourage ant colonization. By opening up dense vegetation and reducing shading, the trust aims to increase the availability of suitable nesting sites and foraging areas. The initiative is part of a broader effort to conserve heathland biodiversity, which supports a wide range of specialist plants and animals, from reptiles like adders and lizards to ground-nesting birds such as nightjars and woodlarks.
The narrow-headed ant is listed as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and its conservation status is considered vulnerable due to its fragmented and declining populations. The erratic ant, while slightly more widespread, is also of conservation concern, with its distribution limited to a few heathland sites in southern England. Both species are indicators of healthy heathland ecosystems, and their presence signals a well-functioning habitat that supports a diverse invertebrate community.
Local conservationists have welcomed the plan, noting that targeted habitat management is often the most effective way to support rare invertebrates, which are frequently overlooked in favor of more charismatic species. The trust's approach aligns with national conservation strategies that emphasize the restoration of heathland as a key priority for reversing biodiversity loss. The project will also involve monitoring ant populations over time to assess the effectiveness of the management actions and to adapt strategies as needed.
Heathland restoration is a long-term endeavor, and the trust expects that the benefits for the ants will become apparent over several years as the habitat matures. The initiative highlights the importance of preserving not just individual species but the entire ecosystem on which they depend. By improving the health of heathlands, the trust aims to create a resilient landscape that can support a wide array of wildlife, including these two rare ants, for generations to come.
