The Isles of Scilly Biodiversity Audit 2008 - Cornwall Wildlife Trust

2.2.1.19 Hymenoptera - AntsOverviewAnts are insects which are characterised by their socialbehaviour, forming well organised colonies. Theymostly have biting parts, which in some species releasea defensive chemical.Ants can be found in a variety of habitats includingheathland and various grasslands. In the British Islesthere are nearly 50 ant species regarded as native, ofwhich 14 have been recorded in the Isles of Scilly. Onespecies, the red-barbed ant Formica rufibarbis, is foundat only one other site in Britain.Important AreasChapel Down on St Martin’s, Tean and some of theEastern Isles are important for the colonies of Formicarufibarbis.Conservation ImportanceThere is one species on the BAP priority list, thered-barbed ant, sometimes referred to locally as theSt Martin’s ant. Formica rufibarbis is, from a nationalpoint of view, the Isles of Scilly’s most importantinvertebrate rarity. There is a current Heritage LotteryFund project for its conservation here and in Surrey, itsonly other British location. This is could be considereda ‘flagship species’ for public advocacy.Trends and IssuesResearchMonitoring of the species and further work on theecology of the species is necessary. The Isles of Scillypopulation remains stable while the only otherpopulation in Britain appears to be in terminal decline.The reb-barbed ant Formica rufibarbis is found on St Martin’s and one other site in Britain. Photo: IoSWTIsles of Scilly biodiversity audit Page 32