
Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms
The Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms (RIC) project is working to improve the conservation fortunes of some of the Cairngorms National Park’s rarest species.

Objectives
- Find new sites for the six invertebrate species
- Develop a community of volunteers who monitor the six species populations
- Work with landowners and land managers to manage land enabling these species to thrive.
- Learn more about the behaviour and habitat needs of each species
Key Dates
- July to October 2017: discovered 21 pine hoverfly larvae - the most endangered of the six species
- August 2017: found the first recorded nesting site of small scabious mining bee in the Cairngorms
- Autumn 2017: First new site discovered for shining guest ant by volunteer
- April – May 2018: Kentish glory found in 71 new 1km2
- Summer 2018: northern silver stiletto fly found in three new 10kmn2 sites
- Autumn 2018: working with the project, RZSS Highland Wildlife Park captive rearing of pine hoverfly begins
- Summer 2019: SNH graduate placement discovered that dark-bordered beauty moths travel an average of 84m.
- 2019: first successful completion of pine hoverfly life cycle in captivity by the Highland Wildlife Park
- 2019: over 100 new breeding stumps created for pine hoverfly
- 2019: discovery of the southern-most shining guest ants in the Cairngorms by volunteer
Results
The project has been very successful in finding new sites for some species and rediscovering locations the species had previously been lost from. To date, volunteers have discovered 89 new 1km2 sites for Kentish glory moth, 5 new sites for northern silver stiletto fly, three new sites for the shining guest ant and 10 new sites for the small scabious mining bee. We have also been mapping suitable habitat with volunteers to plan for future surveying, habitat management and translocation work and to understand the potential spread of these key invertebrates in the national park.
Funding
During 2020, the project is financed by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and RSPB. Between 2017-2019, the project was part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community LEADER 2014-2020 programme.
Rare invertebrates and those that look for them
Contacts
