In eastern Australia the arrival of the summer holidays has traditionally been heralded by big iridescent beetles known as Christmas beetles due to their appearance during the festive season.<\/p>\n
Public perception seems to suggest these lovely insects may no longer be arriving in high numbers.<\/p>\n
Each year insect scientists like us field questions from the press and public about Christmas beetle populations. Where have they gone? Why have their populations shrunk? Is it climate change?<\/p>\n
So have Christmas beetles really declined? With the help of people around Australia, we\u2019re working to figure this out.<\/p>\n
In most of Australia, the term \u201cChristmas beetle\u201d refers to large beetles in the genus Anoplognathus. There are 36 Christmas beetle species, almost all of which are only found in Australia.<\/p>\n
Christmas beetles are most common along the east coast and are found over most of the continent, except for a curious absence in the south-west.<\/p>\n
They emerge in early summer and seek out mates, sometimes pausing to munch on eucalyptus leaves. Females lay their eggs in the soil. After a few weeks these eggs hatch into chunky white or cream coloured larvae often known as \u201ccurl grubs\u201d.<\/p>\n
Larvae live in the soil for one to two years until forming a pupa and transforming into their final adult form. They then dig their way out of the ground and take to the air, starting the cycle again.<\/p>\n
Commonly observed species like the washerwoman (Anoplognathus porosus) and A. olivieri have classic Christmas beetle colouring, with flecks of iridescence across their tawny brown bodies.<\/p>\n
But not all Christmas beetles are iridescent. Some, like the Granny Smith beetle (A. prasinus), are a vibrant green, while others look golden (A. aureus and A. parvulus).<\/p>\n
To make things more complicated, people in Tasmania tend to use the term \u201cChristmas beetle\u201d to refer to the glorious golden stag beetle (Lamprima aurata). A lovely beetle to be sure \u2013 but not the kind we\u2019re talking about.<\/p>\n