Cliff Comber Beetle Project

The Cliff Comber Beetle is a large ground beetle with distinctive black/reddish and yellow colouring across its body. It was previously recorded on the coasts of North East Yorkshire, South East Yorkshire and North Norfolk.  There are also two inland records from the early 1990s on analogous habitat. Additionally, there are much older records of the Cliff Comber Beetle from Lincolnshire and Staffordshire.

However, since 2000, this species has only been recorded at three sites on the Norfolk coast: West Runton, Overstand, and between Sidestrand and Trimmingham. This indicates a substantial decrease in the Cliff Comber Beetle’s range, which puts it at increased risk of local extinction. The beetle relies on the natural process of soft cliff erosion to provide habitat, however, both excessive coastal erosion (possibly linked to climate change) and attempts to stabilise cliffs, are thought to threaten their habitat. Indeed, the Cliff Comber Beetle was given the GB IUCN conservation status of Vulnerable in the most recent review.

What was the project outcome?

Surveys were carried out in Yorkshire and Norfolk between August 2023 and March 2026. Sadly, the Cliff Comber Beetle was not found along the Yorkshire coastline, but surveys in Norfolk produced positive results, with the beetles found at five locations. One site produced a total of 30 individuals in a single night! Highlighting that some sites are still safe havens for this species.

Over the three years, the surveys found the beetle had a close association with seepages from cliff faces and actively eroding cliffs. Where sea defences had been put in place, the vegetation of the cliff increased, making it no longer suitable for the species. Furthermore, with climate change and the increase in storms resulting in more erosion, there is also a risk of key populations being lost. For example, the summer of 2025 was incredibly dry, and a lower number of beetles were recorded than expected. It is thought that the number and extent of the seepages may have declined as a result.

Ensuring that cliff faces do not become overgrown with vegetation will be key to the Cliff Comber Beetle’s survival. Any proposals for new sea defences or hydrological changes inland of the cliffs should consider the potential impact on cliff habitats and species.

How can I stay involved? 

Recording schemes are used to continue to monitor the Cliff Comber Beetle. You can upload individual sightings over on the i-Record website or app.

You might also like to find out about our other species recovery projects or consider supporting Buglife’s work to help us continue to save the small things that run the planet!