Animal Species:Christmas Beetle
There are about 35 species of Christmas beetles (family Scarabaeidae), eight of which occur in Sydney. Anoplognathus viriditarsus is the largest of the Sydney Christmas beetles.
Christmas Beetle Anoplognathus montanus
CSIRO
© CSIRO
Number of species
35
Identification
Christmas beetles have vibrant colours and the adults emerge close to the Christmas period. The larvae are white and C-shaped, similar to those of flower chafers and stag beetles.
Size range
2 cm - 3 cm
Distribution
Christmas beetles are found in southern and eastern Australia.
Habitat
Christmas beetles are found in forests and woodlands.
Feeding and Diet
Christmas beetles come into Sydney from surrounding woodland where the adults feed on eucalypt leaves and the larvae feed on grass roots. Adults can occur in large numbers, sometimes completely defoliating trees.
Conservation Status
The total number of Christmas beetles reported in the Sydney area has declined over the last 30 years as the grassy woodland areas get used up for housing.
Classification
- Genus:
- Anoplognathus
- Subfamily:
- Rutelinae
- Family:
- Scarabaeidae
- Superfamily:
- Scarabaeoidea
- Order:
- Coleoptera
- Class:
- Insecta
- Subphylum:
- Uniramia
- Phylum:
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Last Updated:
Tags beetles, insects, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,
