A rare ant nest stolen from a nature reserve in Devon
· BehindLines newsroom · Updated
Devon Wildlife Trust, a nature conservation charity in south-west England, is investigating an unusual theft: an entire nest of narrow-headed ants (Formica exsecta) removed "without permission" from the Chudleigh Knighton Heath reserve in south Devon. The case was made public on November 2, 2026, but according to LBC the theft itself was noticed in mid-October.
What is known
Again according to LBC, researchers carrying out routine checks found a hollow where a known nest had been; the ground showed signs of digging with a spade. A nest can hold between 1,000 and 5,000 ants and one or more queens, which can live up to 25 years, UPI and LBC explain. The theft was reported to Devon and Cornwall Police. Neither source mentions an arrest or a confirmed motive.
Why this species matters
According to LBC, the reserve is the last known stronghold of the species in England. In the UK, the Wildlife Trusts locate the remaining populations in the Scottish Highlands and on a single heathland in Devon. LBC describes the species as "Nationally Rare"; it separately reports the IUCN category "Near Threatened". The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a legal protection status in the United Kingdom. According to LBC, the Devon Wildlife Trust's most recent survey counted 142 active nests on the reserve (the date is not given). Also according to LBC, the heathland the species favours has been lost to building development and agricultural change. A government-backed collaboration between Devon Wildlife Trust and the charity Buglife began this summer to protect it.
Reactions
Julia Balfour of Devon Wildlife Trust, quoted by LBC, says the loss of an established nest is "a significant loss for this species" and compares the theft to the illegal taking of wild birds' eggs. UPI reports that the organization fears removing a nest could have a "catastrophic" effect on an already threatened population. PC Lucy Wyatt notes that SSSIs are protected by law and that intentional or reckless damage there is a criminal offence.
Takeaways
The story may sound quirky, but the stakes are conservation: on a site that hosts England's last population, a single nest matters. The facts described rely on statements by the charity and the police as reported by the media; the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.