Wildlife Review 2025: Wasps, Ants & Sawflies

Wasps 

Dawlish Warren and its environs have prime habitat for wasps with many species nesting in sandy ground and nectaring on the reserve's flowers and shrubs. The Recording Area audit is 208 species. Sixty-nine species were recorded this year including seven new species. A good recovery from 2024 with only 59 noted and in line with 71 in 2023. 

Ichneumon wasps (Ichneumonidae)

Also known as Darwin wasps with over 2,500 UK species, often seen but due to the difficulty in identification only a few can be positively identified in the field. Species found this year were Ichneumon stramentor on 24th March, the cocoon of the aphid parasitoid Dyscritulus planiceps, new for the Recording Area was found attached to its host on 26th July, Black Slip Wasp Pimpla rufipes from 13th September and Apechthis compunctor on 17th September.  Two new species were recorded the first on 29th September Lissonota oculatoria, incredibly only the second UK record, was identified on the railway wall at Langstone Rock, more widespread an Ophion variegatus came to light on 6th November.

Lissonota oculatoria 29th September - Alan Keatley

Chalcid wasps (Chalcididae)

Just a single species of this tiny insect parasitoid family noted, and new for the Recording Area; a Haltichella rufipes found on 21st June.

Gasteruption wasps (Gasteruptiidae)

Also known as javelin wasps due to the female's long ovipositor, just a single species in the Recording Area, Gasteruption jaculator, noted this year from 14th June.

Gasteruption jaculator - Alan Keatley

Gall wasps (Cynipidae)

Plant gall forming wasps on trees and shrubs, the adults are tiny (less than 5mm) and are rarely seen, however their galls are more easily located on their plant hosts. A total of 14 species recorded this year, two recorded from wild roses, Diplolepis nervosa and the familiar Robin's Pincushion formed by the Bedeguar Gall Wasp Diplolepis rosae.

Bedeguar Gall Wasp Diplolepis rosae 26th December - Kevin Rylands

The other twelve were all on Oak including Cottonwool Gall Wasp Andricus quercusramuli, Artichoke Gall Wasp A. foecundatrix, Smooth Spangle Gall Wasp Neuroterus albipes, Striped Pea-gall Wasp Cynips longiventris and Andricus gemmeus, the latter new for the Warren. 

Dryinus wasps (Dryinidae)

An ant-like wingless parasitoid of leafhopper bugs found in sandy areas, a Gonatopus clavipes was noted on the Dune Ridge on 16th August.

Gonatopus clavipes 16th August - Alan Keatley

Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae)

Colourful parasitoids of digger or mason wasps usually found in the vicinity of its host nest. Several species can be found in the Recording Area. This year Linnaeus's Cuckoo Wasp Chrysis ignita was found on 19th May, Impressive Cuckoo Wasp C. impressa from 28th May and Dull Cuckoo Wasp Hedychridium roseum on 30th June.

Impressive Cuckoo Wasp Chrysis impressa 28th May - Alan Keatley

Velvet ants (Mutillidae)

Another group of parasitoid wasps with an ant-like appearance, females are wingless. A female Least Velvet Ant Myrmosa atra, a rarely recorded species, was found on 2nd July.

Least Velvet Ant Myrmosa atra 2nd July - Alan Keatley

Spider-hunting wasps (Pompilidae)

Fast running solitary wasps, with twitching antennae and vibrating wings as they search for prey. Six species were recorded this year compared with five in 2023. This year's additional species was a Rough-saddled Bandwing Dipogon variegatus found on fencing on 10th June. Hunting on the ground were the common Leaden Spider Wasp Pompilus cinereus from 10th May, Red-legged Spider Wasp Episyron rufipes from 14th May, Potter Spider Wasp Auplopus carbonarius on 30th May and Bristle-tailed Anophilus A. infuscatus on 3nd July. A jumping spider hunter Agenioideus cinctellus was noted patrolling walls by the station on 30th May.

Red-legged Spider Wasp Episyron rufipes 14th May - Alan Keatley

Social, Potter and Mason wasps (Vespidae)

Social wasps are nest builders with a queen, worker, male social structure. Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris are the most familiar and frequently encountered species. Several nests are usually located around the site. Queens are active early in the year with the first recorded on 20th March. Workers emerge later in the spring, and persist until late autumn. A queen German Wasp V. germanica was identified on 2nd April, less common and probably overlooked amongst the many Common Wasps. A Median Wasp Dolichovespula media was also picked out on 15th June, with a Tree Wasp Dolichovespula sylvestris nest located on 12th July. Despite increased frequent sightings of Hornet Vespa crabro from 28th July until October no nest could be found.

Median Wasp Dolichovespula media 16th July - Alan Keatley

Mason wasps nest in holes and cavities in stems, timber or walls. Several species are found within the Recording Area. The first, not unsurprisingly, was Early Mason Wasp Ancistrocerus nigricornis on 3rd May, with Willow Mason Wasp Symmorphus bifasciatus recorded on 30th May, Three-banded Mason Wasp A. trifasciatus on 3rd June, Little Mason Wasp Microdynerus exilis on 30th June and Small-notched Mason Wasp A. gazella from 6th August. 

Early Mason Wasp Ancistrocerus nigricornis 5th September - Alan Keatley

Sand wasps (Sphecidae)

Red-banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa is the only species of this family of caterpillar hunting wasp recorded on site, with the first of the year on 30th April and regularly seen patrolling the dunes.

Red-banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa - Alan Keatley

Digger wasps (Crabronidae)

This family of wasps is well represented on site with a variety of species. Most nest in sandy ground, but some of the smaller species nest in dead wood or hollow stems. Twenty-four species, including three new for the Recording Area were found this year. The first was a Common Spiny-digger Oxybelus uniglumis on 10th May, frequently found nectaring on umbellifers, an important food source for digger wasps.

The largest sub-family is Crossocerus, also known as Boxhead wasps. Four-spotted Digger Wasp Crossocerus quadrimaculatus was noted feeding on honeydew on Sycamore from 14th May. The first new species was a Ring-legged Crossocerus C. annulipes on 28th May, with Wesmael's Digger Wasp C. wesmaeli and Slender Digger Wasp C. elongatulus on 10th and 13th June respectively with a Trilobed Boxhead C. podagricus on 19th July.

Trilobed Boxhead Crossocerus podagricus 19th July - Alan Keatley

Other digger wasps included Small Shieldbug Stalker Dryudella pinguis and Mourning Wasp Pemphredon lugubris both from 14th May. The tiny Minute Black Wasp Diodontus minutus, a ground nester in sand that predates aphids, was noted on 16th June, with another aphid hunter and new for the Recording Area, Passaloecus singularis found 2nd June. Also, a new species and one of the smallest digger wasps, Solsky's Wasp Stigmus solskyi was found on 8th July.

Solsky's Wasp Stigmus solskyi - 8th July - Alan Keatley

A Slender Wood Borer Wasp Trypoxylon attenuatum was noted on 17th June, Red-banded Grasshopper Grabber Tachysphex pompiliformis on 19th May, Shieldbug Stalker Astata boops from 19th June, a Pale Footed Black Wasp Psenulus pallipes on 4th August and a White-lipped Digger Wasp Lindenius albilabris on 6th August.

Slender Wood Borer Wasp Trypoxylon attenuatum 17th June - Alan Keatley

The common Intermediate Shield Wasp Crabro peltarius, a frequent flower visitor was active from 16th May, Large Digger Wasp C. cribrarius from 2nd July with Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp Cerceris rybyensis from 5th June and Sand Tailed Digger Wasp C. arenaria from 28th July. 

Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp Cerceris rybyensis 29th July - Alan Keatley

Further black and yellow species included Common Ectemnius E. continuus from 28th May, Garden Ectemnius E. cavifrons on 30th June, plenty of Bee-wolf Philanthus triangulum, an effective hunter of honey bees, were active from 16th June and Four-banded Digger Wasp Gorytes quadrifasciatus from 8th July. The final species to emerge were Field Digger Wasp Mellinus arvensis from 7th September.

Field Digger Wasp Mellinus arvensis 11th October - Alan Keatley

Ants (Formicidae)

A combination of small size, subtle differences between species and for many, a subterranean existence, finding and identifying ants can be a challenge. Seven species were identified this year, including three new for the Recording Area.

Small Black Ant Lasius niger is the most familiar species, found in almost any month of the year and anywhere on site. This year the first was on 3rd February. The second ant species of the year was larger Dusky Ant Formica fusca on 29th April. 

Small Black Ant Lasius niger - Alan Keatley

The Woodland Red Ant Myrmica ruginodis is perhaps the most common UK species found in both woodland and grassland habitats, a winged queen was noted in Dead Dolphin Wood on 16th August. The first of the new species was Turf Ant Tetramorium caespitum, a coastal grassland species and a scavenger and predator of small invertebrates, first seen on 9th June.

Tetramorium caespitum 9th September - Alan Keatley

The tiny shade loving Temnothorax nylanderi was the second new species, found near the station path on 4th August.  A couple of days later several Formica cunicularia were observed attacking a queen Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus. Surprisingly the latter was a newly noted species on site with a couple of subterranean nests located later in the year.

Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus & Formica cunicularia 6th August - Alan Keatley 

Sawflies (Symphyta)

Sawflies are the least known of the hymenoptera quartet (bees, wasps, ants and sawflies). Females have 'saws' that cut open plant tissue in which to lay eggs. Species can be difficult to identify, but the plant association can help, which include trees, scrub and low vegetation. Many species are colourful and some can resemble wasps. Thirty-one species were recorded this year with four new for the Recording Area. Up from 24 species last year.

Fuse-horned sawflies (Argidae)

Black or orange and black squat sawflies. Two species noted this year, Broad-barred Fusehorn Arge cyanocrocea from 4th May and Common Rose Fusehorn A. pagana from 10th June.

Bramble Sawfly Arge cyanocrocea 16th May - Alan Keatley

Common sawflies (Tenthredinidae)

The largest and most diverse family of sawflies. The first species this year Red-belted Cleaver Aglaostigma aucupariae from 18th March on its nettle food plant. A Dark-winged Weeper Dolerus germanicus, a first for the Recording Area, was found on Common Horsetail on 19th April. In May, the thorn feeder Torpedo Sawfly Nematus lucidus and Clover Sawfly Tenthredo arcuata s.l. on 14th, Cinquefoil Strider Macrophya annulata on 18th, Woolly Alder Sawfly Eriocampa ovata on 18th, Turnip Tigress Athalia rosae on 22nd, and Belted Tigress A. bicolor on 28th.

Clover Sawfly Tenthredo arcuata 14th May - Alan Keatley

In June Orange Bedstraw Sawfly Halidamia affinis from 2nd, Uninscribed Sawfly Tenthredopsis nassata s.l. on 9th, the larvae of Dark Bramble-cutter Monophadnoides rubi on 10th, Skullcap Tigress Athalia scutellariae from 18th, with Spotted Regal-sawfly Nematus septentrionals, a new species, also on 18th.

Spotted Regal-sawfly Nematus septentrionals 18th June - Kevin Rylands

Dark Bramble-cutter Monophadnoides rubi 10th June - Alan Keatley

Associated with the rose family, Calceate Spindler Allentus calceatus was found on 10th July, the larvae of Pear Slugworm Caliroa cerasi from 24th August and in September Bugle Tigress Athalia cordata on 5th.

All the above were recorded as adults or larvae, however a number of species were only recorded as galls or leafmines. Four species on birch, Curved Birch Mining Sawfly Scolioneura betuleti from 21st June, Small Birch Mining Sawfly Fenusa pumila and Bright-eyed Mining Sawfly Fenusalla nana from 13th September and, new for the Warren, Birch Disc-miner Sawfly Heterarthrus nemoratus on 28th September. Two species on willows, Bridgeman's Bean-galler Euura bridgmanii from 27th April, and Sallow Pea-galler Euura pedunculi from 15th June, and Alder, Dohrn's Alder Mining Sawfly Fenusa dohrnii from 21st June and Alder Disc-miner Heterarthrus vagans 13th September. 

Birch Disc-miner sawfly Heterarthrus nemoratus 28th September - Kevin Rylands

Other species recorded were Rose Leaf-roller Sawfly Blennocampa phyllocolpa from 31st May, Marginal Sycamore Disc-miner Heterarthrus fiora from 14th June, and Oak Mining Sawfly Profenusa pygmaea from 28th.

Club-horned sawflies (Cimbicidae)

New for the recording area and one of the largest sawflies, the larvae of Birch Clubhorn Cimbex femoratus was found on 14th June.

Birch Clubhorn Cimbex femoratus 14th June - Kevin Rylands