'ALICE' RODENTS' RESIDENCY RISING

Forestry Commission wildlife ranger Mark Warn is thrilled at the growing number of sinister winged assassins patrolling his Dorset woodlands.

He reckons that 2003 has so far been a bumper year for three killer wasp species that all figure in the Red Data book of creatures in danger of extinction.

He says the increasing numbers reflect the all out effort going into creating the right kinds of habitat for them in Wareham Forest.

But he adds that their fickle fortunes could easily falter in future should Dorset suffer a rain-soaked summer.

Mr. Warn, said: “The ‘bee wolf’ wasp slays honey bees for its young to feed on.

“Any spider that has a Homonotus sanguinolentus egg laid on it is in for a grisly end as the wasp grub eats a path through its body.

“Purbeck mason wasps do something equally horrible to the heathland moths they parasitise.

“These insects all have murderous lifestyles and all are equally fascinating to study. Luckily, they’re completely harmless to people.

“Our biggest concern is that they will still be here for future generations to marvel at.”

Mr. Warn said that his job was to guide his forestry colleagues into managing the county woodlands to the wasps’ advantage.

He said that ongoing habitat improvement gave the insects the best possible chance of surviving and producing young during bad weather years that wiped many of them out.

Anyone wanting more information about the amazing wildlife living the Forestry Commission’s woodlands should log onto the www.forestry.gov.uk web site

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please contact Miss Helen Wood, New Forest Communications Manager, on 023 8028 3141.

e-mail: helen.wood@forestry.gsi.gov.uk