I think it’s the most important beetle I’ve found in the county and I am extremely proud to have rediscovered it here. Hopefully Staffordshire Wildlife Trust can now find more.Staffordshire Wildlife Trust volunteer
2025 - the year a rare beetle was discovered in Staffordshire after an absence of 150 years
During the summer an incredibly rare river wood riffle beetle made its way into the garden of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) volunteer David Coles in Rugeley. It was last recorded in Staffordshire in 1867, at the River Trent in Burton-upon-Trent.
Nature enthusiast David was checking his moth trap when he made the surprising discovery, “It was a very warm night, which often results in beetles turning up. This one was really small at only 3mm long and it looked so odd with those very long legs. I knew I'd seen an illustration of it somewhere and was quickly able to identify it.”
This incredibly rare beetle has very specific habitat requirements. It needs a mix of submerged deadwood in lowland river pools, backwaters and shallows, but over time, building, farming and transportation, has meant there are fewer of these places. So, it is now listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
"I think it’s the most important beetle I’ve found in the county and I am extremely proud to have rediscovered it here. Hopefully Staffordshire Wildlife Trust can now find more." David continued.
Riverwood riffle beetle (Macronychus quadrituberculatus) by David Coles
Wolseley River Trent river restoration 2004 a few months on by Nick Mott - notice the fallen trees and limbs, the wooded margins, the mix of deep scour pools downstream of the wood accumulations, and the shallows (riffles).
The second photo shows the River Dove at Rocester by Nick Mott - showing log jams and submerged deadwood which is perfect for the riverwood riffle beetle.
Nick Mott, River Restoration Manager at SWT, says: “When I heard of David's discovery I was stunned, delighted and envious all at the same time! David is an avid lover of beetles, insects and all river wildlife. His knowledge and identification skills are incredible - proven by his amazing discovery. Our most inspiring wildlife sighting of 2025!”
While this is just one sighting, it is hoped there will be more. SWT plans to complete surveys for this species at several river restoration sites on the River Trent between Shugborough Estate and the Washlands at Burton-upon-Trent.
Set against this background, the return of the riverwood riffle beetle to the River Trent is significant and inspiring. Nick adds: “To river restoration folk, the sighting of this beetle is a beacon of hope that suggests things are heading in a favourable direction.”