The Purbeck Mason Wasp (Pseudepipona herrichii) is a large, red, black-and-yellow mason wasp which provisions its nest with the caterpillars of a tortricid moth which feeds on heathers. The host caterpillar is commonest on plants of bell heather Erica cinerea in early to mid successional heathland. The flowers of bell heather are also the major nectar source for the adult wasps. The nest of the Purbeck mason wasp is dug in areas of bare, clayey ground within heathlands. The wasp flies between May and July.
This mason wasp has long been known to be restricted to a few lowland heathland sites in the Poole Basin area of Dorset. By the outbreak of the Second World War, it was known from seven different heathlands. Since the late 1940s, the range has contracted and, after the loss of the Stoborough Heath population in about 1980, the only remaining site appeared to be on Godlingston Heath NNR. A survey of clay exposures on Dorset heathlands carried out in 1995 and 1996 failed to find any further breeding sites for the species. In 1997, the monitoring programme revealed that the population size on Godlingston Heath had reached a very high level and, at the same time, new nesting aggregations were discovered on six other heathlands, all within the historic range of the species. The wasp is reported to be widespread in Europe. Although recent records from the near continent are lacking, it is not uncommonly found in the Mediterranean region (Turkey, Greek islands, France, Spain and Morocco). It is also reported from Canada, but the true status of this taxon remains uncertain. In Great Britain this species is classified as vulnerable.
Current factors causing loss or decline:
- Succession on heathland
Current action
- The wasp became part of NE's Species Recovery Programme in 1996.
- Six of the seven colonies recorded in 1997 are on SSSIs; the seventh is just outside one.
Action plan objectives and targets
- Maintain populations at all known sites.
- Enhance the population size at all known sites by 2010.
- Restore populations to suitable sites to maintain ten viable populations within the historic range by 2010.
Action plan courtesy of UKBAP
Tags: Conservation | Pseudepipona | Herrichii
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