The Isle of Wight’s coast is literally buzzing with life! The soft cliffs of the south west and south coasts offer some of the most spectacular views on the Island. Profusions of flowering thrift, bird’s-foot trefoil, kidney vetch and wild carrot paint the cliff slopes with shades of pink, yellow and white from late spring to the end of summer. Not only are they a feast for the eyes, they also provide abundant nectar for bees, butterflies and moths.

The cliffs are home to many rare species of beetles, bees, butterflies and other amazing invertebrates. In fact, recent work by Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust - has highlighted the fact that the Isle of Wight soft cliffs are some of the richest in the country. They are not just important for rare species; they provide essential habitat for hundreds of others - bumblebees, grasshoppers and bugs which fit into the complex web of life. Invertebrates provide important ‘services’ for us such as pollinating crops and wildflowers, pest control and recycling nutrients.

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Soft cliffs are made of rocks that are poorly resistant to erosion – for example clay or sand. They are subject to frequent slumps and landslips resulting from erosion by the sea at the base, weathering above by the rain, and groundwater seeping though the cliff. These natural processes create a wildlife habitat in a constant state of flux providing bare ground which heats up rapidly in the sun, as well as wet hollows and streams.

Invertebrates depend on the temperature of their surroundings for their activity, so this warm bare ground is perfect for species such as the long-horned mining bee (Eucera longicornis) – the male of which sports huge antennae! - to dig their nest burrows. At many points along the cliffs you will find clusters of bee burrows in the soft clays and other soft rocks, bustling with activity during the spring and summer months as female bees collect pollen and nectar to provision their nests.

The cliff tiger beetle (Cylindera germanica) – a small but ferocious predator - also benefits from these conditions. This is the cheetah of the insect world, feeding on smaller invertebrates such as ants. With its long legs it speeds after prey catching it in large and rather fearsome jaws. The larvae live in burrows and lie in ambush for unsuspecting victims. In the UK this beetle is only found on the soft cliffs of the Isle of Wight, Dorset, and Devon.

The Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) is a local speciality - its only established breeding colonies in Britain are on the Island’s soft cliffs. In spring, the black caterpillars gather together in webs and feed on ribwort plantain. The butterfly, on the wing in May and early June has orange upper sides with brown markings; when it is perched on a flower the cream and yellow undersides will be seen. The chestnut click beetle (Anostirus castaneus), is another ‘local’ species. It is found in just two places in the UK, one of which is the undercliffs around Luccombe Chine.

The Island’s soft cliffs, although absolutely teeming with wildlife, are hazardous and not recommended for close inspection. Paths are vulnerable to erosion and straying from them can be highly dangerous as well as being damaging to wildlife. On the southwest coast, an agreement between landowners and Natural England is attempting to establish a 20m strip of semi-natural cliff top grassland, the width being maintained as the cliff recedes. This will benefit both wildlife and people; by restoring the natural zonation between maritime and terrestrial vegetation, it will provide nectar and pollen for the invertebrates and will enable them to overwinter more successfully. At the same time, it will allow safe access along the cliff top for people to enjoy and appreciate the scenery.

Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust is the first organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates. We are actively engaged in saving Britain's rarest beetles, bugs, snails, bees, dragonflies, spiders and many more fascinating invertebrates.

The Buglife Soft Cliff Invertebrates Project is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.