Current status
The life history of Doros profuges is uncertain, but probably complex and highly specialised. The biology of the larvae is unknown, but it is believed to have a commensal or predatory relationship within nests of the ant Lasius fuliginosus in woodland or around isolated trees. Most records of adults are from scrub or wood edge on calcareous grasslands. Adults may visit flowers for nectar and they are often found near brambles. Doros profuges is a large, spectacular, wasp-mimic and one of the most enigmatic British hoverflies.
Doros profuges is seldom seen and historically has been regarded as a great rarity, with a wide but very patchy distribution. In recent years it has been found mainly on the western chalk rim of the Weald, on the North Downs of Surrey, the South Downs of West Sussex and the Hampshire fringe, where there appear to be several well established colonies. There is a recent record from Wiltshire and it is also present around Morecambe Bay. In Scotland it has been recorded on Arran and at a coastal site on Mull. It has seemingly become extinct recently from a site in Essex where it was found over a period of 100 years, and it has not been seen recently at several other historic sites in Dorset, Somerset, Kent, Worcestershire and Cambridgshire. There is an old record for Caernarvonshire and this elusive species may still occur in Wales. The species has a wide range in temperate and southern Europe but is generally scarce; in the more northern parts it is rare and its status is apparently just as uncertain and precarious as in Britain.
In Great Britain this species is classified as Vulnerable.
Current action
Recent records are mainly from SSSIs.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all known sites.
Enhance the population size at all known sites by 2010.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Where appropriate, include the requirements of the species when preparing or revising prescriptions for agri-environment schemes. (ACTION: NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD)
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, ensure that occupied sites are appropriately managed by 2005, for example through SSSI or agri-environment scheme management agreements. (ACTION: NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD)
Ensure that the species is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSIs. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Consider notifying as SSSIs sites holding key populations of the species, where this is necessary to secure their long-term protection and appropriate management. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Species management and protection
None proposed.
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers of the presence of the species and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation. (ACTION: NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD)
As far as possible, ensure that all relevant agri-environment project officers, and members of regional agri-environment consultation groups, are advised of locations of this species, its importance, and the management needed for its conservation. (ACTION: NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD)
Future Research and Monitoring
Undertake surveys to determine the status of this species. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Conduct targeted autecological research to elucidate the causes of decline and inform habitat management. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Establish regular monitoring of this species at key sites. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to a central database so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Promote opportunities for the appreciation of this species and the conservation issues associated with this habitat. This should be achieved through articles within appropriate journals, as well as by a publicity leaflet. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Doros profuges:
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume IV: Invertebrates (March 1999, Tranche 2, Vol IV, p161)