Rare ants released onto Surrey common
11th October 2008
Rare ants released onto Surrey common
Red-barbed ants, which are now classed as a national Biodiversity Action Plan priority, are a valuable component of Surrey's heathland ecosystems both as predators and as food for a range of other native species, woodpeckers and sand lizards.
Harmless to human beings the ants nest underground and display their own distinctive reproductive behaviour. During courtship the young winged females climb to the top of a blade of grass to attract the attention of males by emitting their scent. The queens can live more than 10 years and mate only once in their lifetime, storing sperm inside their bodies to fertilize eggs for the rest of their life.
Red-barbed ants are an attractive species of invertebrate which are not harmful to human beings. Nests of this species are unobtrusive, and are located under the surface of the ground. Red-barbed ants are an important part of our heathland ecosystems, and they are an important food source for other heathland wildlife such as woodpeckers and sand lizards. The ants feed on honey dew (collected from aphids) and small invertebrates (such as caterpillars).
Over 300 of Britain's rarest ants are to get a brand new home when they are released back into the wild in Surrey.
September 2008. Up to 25 red-barbed ant queens and their attendant workers have been released onto Chobham Common in a bid to save one of the UK's most endangered species from extinction.
Under the care of Surrey Wildlife Trust, Chobham Common will become a stronghold for the ant colonies which have been reared in a specially-designed quarantine facility at ZSL London Zoo.
Paul Pearce-Kelly, ZSL's Senior Curator of Invertebrates, said: "It is wonderful to see that this project is now reaching the key reintroduction stage. We plan to rear new colonies of ants annually here at ZSL London Zoo for reintroduction into their natural Surrey rangeland."
"It is imperative that we save this amazing species. ZSL along with the other project members are working together with ant experts in the hope that the red-barbed ants will live to see another day on mainland Britain."
Dr Simon Newell (SWT), said: "The project is creating the ideal habitat for this ant- bare ground on heathlands. This undervalued but essential feature not only benefits this species but many other rare and exciting animals such as endangered insects such as the heath tiger beetle, birds and reptiles."
Relatively small areas of land can support a high density of ant nests. Reintroductions will be made at selected sites in Surrey creating a lasting British red-barbed ant population.
Red-barbed ants, which are now classed as a national Biodiversity Action Plan priority, are a valuable component of Surrey's heathland ecosystems both as predators and as food for a range of other native species, woodpeckers and sand lizards.
Harmless to human beings the ants nest underground and display their own distinctive reproductive behaviour. During courtship the young winged females climb to the top of a blade of grass to attract the attention of males by emitting their scent. The queens can live more than 10 years and mate only once in their lifetime, storing sperm inside their bodies to fertilize eggs for the rest of their life.
Red-barbed ants are an attractive species of invertebrate which are not harmful to human beings. Nests of this species are unobtrusive, and are located under the surface of the ground. Red-barbed ants are an important part of our heathland ecosystems, and they are an important food source for other heathland wildlife such as woodpeckers and sand lizards. The ants feed on honey dew (collected from aphids) and small invertebrates (such as caterpillars).
Over 300 of Britain's rarest ants are to get a brand new home when they are released back into the wild in Surrey.
September 2008. Up to 25 red-barbed ant queens and their attendant workers have been released onto Chobham Common in a bid to save one of the UK's most endangered species from extinction.
Under the care of Surrey Wildlife Trust, Chobham Common will become a stronghold for the ant colonies which have been reared in a specially-designed quarantine facility at ZSL London Zoo.
Paul Pearce-Kelly, ZSL's Senior Curator of Invertebrates, said: "It is wonderful to see that this project is now reaching the key reintroduction stage. We plan to rear new colonies of ants annually here at ZSL London Zoo for reintroduction into their natural Surrey rangeland."
"It is imperative that we save this amazing species. ZSL along with the other project members are working together with ant experts in the hope that the red-barbed ants will live to see another day on mainland Britain."
Dr Simon Newell (SWT), said: "The project is creating the ideal habitat for this ant- bare ground on heathlands. This undervalued but essential feature not only benefits this species but many other rare and exciting animals such as endangered insects such as the heath tiger beetle, birds and reptiles."
Relatively small areas of land can support a high density of ant nests. Reintroductions will be made at selected sites in Surrey creating a lasting British red-barbed ant population.
