The Essex Naturalist
109
Distribution
There are records for only five localities at Hall Hill (West Tilbury), Shoebury
Old Ranges and Sunshine Plain (Epping Forest) in South Essex and Colne Point
and Grymes Dyke near Colchester in North Essex.
Habitat and Ecology
Seifert describes L. psammophilus as associated with sandy grasslands. The ant
has been found in Essex in thermophilic conditions on dune and sparsely
vegetated sandy soil and heathland.
Threats
One site is part of the Epping Forest SSSI and two other sites are Essex Wildlife
Trust reserves where public access is controlled. The species has not been found
in old sand pits or other recently disturbed sandy habitats and is may be
vulnerable to the loss and degradation of unimproved habitats.
Lasius umbratus (Nylander)
National status Local County status Essex Rare
Frequency Ratio 2.0 Tetrad Percentage 0.4%
Recorded 1km sq. percentage 0.8%
Distribution
The species seems to be very rare in the county with recent records from only
four localities within a small area in Thurrock, at Broom Hill and Hall Hill
(West Tilbury), Mucking Heath (Orsett Golf Course) and the author's garden at
Sockets Heath (Grays).
Lasius umbratus (Nylander)