Do You Remember Those Really Big and Beautiful Australian Christmas Beetles?

Source: Sydney University Faculty of Science

If you grew up in New South Wales, Queensland, or somewhere along Australia's east coast, you might recall summer evenings made magical by the arrival of shimmering beetles—the iridescent, chunky insects we call Christmas beetles. They'd flap erratically around streetlights, buzz clumsily in a cacophony of wings, and come to rest—stunned—on windows, fences or verandas.⁽¹⁾ Their rich, metallic colours glinted under the light, ranging from golds and bronzes to greens and browns. Back then, they almost seemed part of the festive season itself.

For many, those summers are now tinged with nostalgia. These beetles feel rarer. Which begs the question: where did they go?

Below I reflect on my own memories and recent sightings (including a couple this year in Port Macquarie), dive into what we know—and don't know—about their decline, and what we as eco-conscious homeowners and pest-control professionals can do to give these iconic insects a fighting chance.

Source: Buzzfeed

Fond Memories: From Port Macquarie to the Highway

I remember a warm night on a road trip from Port Macquarie to Sydney. We pulled over at a rest stop under fluorescent street lights—and suddenly the air was full of buzzing. Dozens of Christmas beetles, drawn to the glare, flitted in waves. Their flight was unsteady, almost comical in its clumsiness—but mesmerising. When they landed, their shells glowed dusky gold or bronze; sometimes streaks of green or copper shimmered across their backs under the light.

That scene stirred something primal: a sense of summer, of wild nature brushing up against our human spaces. It felt like magic.

Recently this year I saw two Christmas beetles near Port Macquarie. Not a swarm, not dozens—but two. It was surreal, and stirred hope. Does that mean they're coming back? Probably not. But perhaps it's a small sign that under the right conditions, they still find their way.

The Sound, the Erratic Buzzing, the Lights—and the Magic

Source: CSIRO

Part of the allure of Christmas beetles is not just how they look, but how they behave. Their flight is bulky-bodied and erratic—a clumsy, jolting whirr that makes them sound more boisterous than delicate. They seem almost magnetised to streetlights, porch lights, car lights—and under those artificial glows their shell's metallic iridescence becomes mesmerising. Their presence in numbers used to be enough that entire trees might sag under their weight⁽²⁾

That sound, that flicker, the sudden flash of colour—for many kids and adults alike, that was Christmas.

So, Where Have They Gone—And Why Are They So Much Rarer Now?

The question has been around for some time. Are Christmas beetles disappearing for good? There's no definitive long-term data, but scientists and citizen-scientists are working to piece together a picture.⁽³⁾ Here are the major factors thought to contribute:

Many of these beetles rely on woodlands rich in native eucalypts for their adult feeding, and grasslands or soils with native grasses and loose soil structure for their larvae.^(4,5) In areas like western Sydney—once home to extensive woodland such as the Cumberland Plain Woodland—much of that native habitat is gone. What remains is estimated to be less than 10% of its original area.^(6,7)

As suburbs expanded—lawns replacing native grasses, houses replacing woodlands—the essential resources for both larvae (soil, grass roots) and adults (eucalypt foliage) dwindled.⁽⁸⁾

Climate Change and Changing Weather Patterns

The larvae live underground for one to two years, feeding on roots and soil humus.^(9,10) Emergence of adults depends heavily on soil conditions. In years with unusually dry spring or summer soils, pupae may fail to dig out. Extended dry spells can leave adult beetles trapped underground until they die.⁽¹¹⁾ Warmer soils and heatwaves can also be lethal to larvae.⁽¹²⁾

Source: MiniBeast Wildlife

Lack of Systematic Data

There's no long-term monitoring data for any species of Christmas beetle, which makes it hard to say with certainty how much populations have changed.⁽³⁾ Much of what we know is anecdotal, based on memory, or public reports—which is why citizen-science efforts have become important in recent years.⁽¹³⁾

In short: the odds are stacked against them.

Call To Action: If you would like to contribute to increasing the data, there are projects that aim to estimate populations based on publicly submitted identifications, such as the Christmas Beetle Count on iNaturalist website.

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/christmas-beetle-count

"To identify Christmas Beetles, get the Australian Museum's 'Xmas Beetle ID Guide' app from the App Store or Google Play."

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Species Focus: Three Key Christmas Beetles

This article focuses on three species commonly found in NSW and Queensland:

• Anoplognathus brunnipennis (Emerald Tip Beetle) – distributed from Brisbane, Queensland to Melbourne, Victoria along the Great Dividing Range⁽¹⁴⁾

• Anoplognathus porosus (Washerwoman) – the most commonly observed species along the east coast, easily recognised by distinctive pigmented punctures on its elytra^(15,16)

• Anoplognathus olivieri – found across eastern Australia with wider elytra and distinct irregular puncture lines⁽¹⁷⁾

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Source: Beetle Identifications

Where Might the Remaining Strongholds Be—And Are There Glimmers of Hope?

While many beetles have become scarce around big urban zones, there are still pockets where conditions remain relatively intact. In eastern Australia—particularly along coastal NSW and Queensland—suitable habitat persists.⁽⁴⁾

Border Ranges National Park. Source: National Parks and Wildlife NSW

Notably, some regions near Brisbane in southeast Queensland historically have been home to populations of certain species. The more rural or semi-rural areas of northern NSW—including places close to the state border—may still harbor beetles, especially where native woodland and grassland patches remain.

Border Ranges National Park. Source: National Parks and Wildlife NSW

The recent surge in people reporting sightings—aided by projects such as the Christmas Beetle Count—has even documented rare species thought lost. For example, observers recently photographed one species (Anoplognathus vietor) alive for the first time in decades, 300 kilometres away from its previously known site.⁽³⁾

This doesn't mean a full recovery is underway—but it suggests that pockets of resilience remain. Which is hopeful.

A Quick Primer: Life Cycle, Habitat, Appearance, Food, Predators

Life stages of Scarabaeidae insects. Source: Green Path

Here's a snapshot of what we know about Christmas beetles' biology (across species in the genus Anoplognathus):

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Species richness: There are roughly 35–36 Christmas beetle species endemic to Australia.^(4,18)

Life cycle: Eggs are laid in soil (typically December–January). The larvae—often called "curl grubs"—feed underground on roots and decaying organic matter for one to two years. After pupation, adults emerge (often triggered by soil moisture) in late spring or early summer (mid-November to early December) and live for a few weeks.^(9,10)

Adult diet: Adults feed mostly on eucalypt leaves; they may also nibble on introduced plants such as peppercorn trees when in urban or suburban areas.⁽¹⁹⁾

Habitat: Adults rely on woodlands with eucalypts. Larvae need grassland or soil rich in roots—areas such as woodland understory, pastures, or native grasslands.⁽⁵⁾

Predators and risks: Adult beetles are preyed upon by birds, mammals and reptiles that feed on insects. Their major risks are habitat loss, unsuitable soil or climatic conditions that prevent larvae from surviving, and—when humans intervene—pesticide use.⁽²⁰⁾

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What About Responsible Pest Control and Conservation-Friendly Practices?

Minimise broad-spectrum pesticide use: Avoid using DIY insecticides to kill "curl grubs" or scarab larvae unless absolutely necessary. Such chemicals often kill beneficial native insects (including Christmas beetles) and disrupt soil ecology.⁽²⁰⁾ If a pest control technician deems treatment necessary in your garden, request a targeted or "spot" treatment. Follow any environmental controls (eg. trim grass, cut back trees) advised by your technician, to reduce the amount of insecticides needed and help prevent future infestations.

Encourage native vegetation: If you have a garden, front or backyard, consider planting native eucalypts, native grasses and other indigenous flora. These help provide both adult food (eucalypt leaves) and larval habitat (grass roots, soft soil).

By Ethel Aardvark - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4632987

Provide habitat for natural predators: Add features such as a bird bath, native-plant hedges, shrubs or small trees—these encourage insectivorous birds, reptiles and small mammals that naturally help keep pest populations (including invasive ones) in check, without harming native beetles with chemicals. Check out our post on beneficial insects for a whole list of bugs that control pests too.

Promote soil health and minimise soil compaction: Aerated, healthy soil allows larvae to thrive; avoid over-compacting lawns, using heavy mulches, or paving over natural soil where possible.

Source: AABR

Advocate for native woodland and grassland conservation: Support local bush-regeneration, habitat protection, and small-scale restoration projects. Even small patches of native bush amidst suburbs can act as stepping-stones for beetles and other invertebrates.

By doing so, helping restore little pockets of native ecosystem, where iconic species like Christmas beetles might once again thrive.

Below are a list of volunteer groups focused on conservation and land care:

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• Coastal Warriors - Mid North Coast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalWarriorsMidNorthCoast/

• National Parks Conservation and Heritage Info Page: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/conservation-and-heritage

• Hastings Land Care: https://landcareportmac.com.au/

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Why Christmas Beetles (and Insects in General) Matter

Source: Queensland Museum

Sometimes these beetles were dismissed as a harmless (if slightly annoying) summer novelty. But they have important ecological roles. As adults, they're part of food webs—prey for birds, mammals, reptiles. As larvae, they help aerate soil, recycle organic matter, and contribute to soil health.⁽²¹⁾

Losing them—or seeing their populations dwindle—might seem small. But insects underpin ecosystems in profound ways. The decline of a single group can ripple up the food chain and disrupt ecological balance.

Citizen-science efforts are starting to shed more light on what's really happening. The Christmas Beetle Count, led by Invertebrates Australia in collaboration with University of Sydney, has already logged thousands of sightings.⁽¹³⁾

They argue—rightly—that it's more than nostalgia: Christmas beetles are part of Australia's natural heritage. Losing them would be like erasing a page of summertime memory.

So—Could Those Port Macquarie Sightings Be a Sign of Recovery?

Source: Sustainable Macleod

Maybe. But with caution.

Seeing two beetles this year doesn't mean populations are bouncing back. As experts emphasise, we still lack long-term data for any species.⁽³⁾

Still—it is a good sign. Under certain conditions (native vegetation nearby, favourable soil/moisture), Christmas beetles are still finding places to emerge. If more people plant native flora, reduce pesticide use, and help conserve habitat patches—perhaps there's hope they'll once again light up summer nights, in growing numbers.

Closing Thoughts

Source: Australian Geographic

Remember the wonder of those big, luminous beetles around street lights, the buzzing that seemed to say "summer is here"? That memory—and the memory of many others—still matters.

We may not be able to bring back the hordes of Christmas beetles overnight. But with small, thoughtful steps—in our gardens, our yards, our pest-control practices and our advocacy for native habitat—we can help give them a chance.

For now, I'm holding onto that memory from the road out of Port Macquarie, and onto the two beetles I saw this year. It's not much—but maybe it's enough to believe that with care, and a little luck, those shimmering beetles might once again make summer nights magical.

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References

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2. Flora & Fauna. Where have all the Christmas beetles gone? [Internet]. 2021 Jan 29 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://www.floraandfauna.com.au/blogs/ecohub/where-have-all-the-christmas-beetles-gone

3. Latty T, Reid C, Koch H, Mesaglio T. People worry Christmas beetles are disappearing. We're gathering citizen data to see the full picture. The Conversation [Internet]. 2023 Dec 11 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://theconversation.com/people-worry-christmas-beetles-are-disappearing-were-gathering-citizen-data-to-see-the-full-picture-217358

4. Australian Museum. Christmas Beetle [Internet]. Sydney: Australian Museum; 2024 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/christmas-beetle/

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8. Mirage News. Where have all Christmas beetles gone? [Internet]. 2022 Dec 15 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://www.miragenews.com/where-have-all-christmas-beetles-gone-916439/

9. Backyard Buddies. Christmas Beetles [Internet]. 2021 Mar 11 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://backyardbuddies.org.au/backyard-buddies/christmas-beetles/

10. Anoplognathus pallidicollis. In: Wikipedia [Internet]. 2024 Jun 23 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anoplognathus_pallidicollis

11. Canberra Times. Christmas beetle population on the decline due to drought and bushfires [Internet]. 2019 Dec 27 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6557076/christmas-beetle-population-on-the-decline-and-the-droughts-to-blame/

12. Canberra Times. Decline of Christmas beetles in Canberra: factors and hope for comeback [Internet]. 2023 Dec 8 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8451270/decline-of-christmas-beetles-in-canberra-factors-and-hope-for-comeback/

13. Latty T, Bickerstaff J. Look out for these five beautiful Australian beetles this summer. University of Sydney [Internet]. 2024 Dec 9 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/12/09/five-australian-beetles-summer-tanya-latty.html

14. Australian Museum. Emerald Tip Beetle, Anoplognathus brunnipennis [Internet]. Sydney: Australian Museum; [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://australian.museum/learn/collections/natural-science/entomology/christmas-beetles/Anoplognathus-chloropyrus/

15. Australian Museum. Washerwoman, Anoplognathus porosus [Internet]. Sydney: Australian Museum; [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://australian.museum/learn/collections/natural-science/entomology/christmas-beetles/anoplognathus-porosus/

16. Mid Coast 2 Tops Landcare. Christmas beetles [Internet]. 2025 Jan 29 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://midcoast2tops.org.au/christmas-beetles/

17. Australian Museum. Anoplognathus olivieri [Internet]. Sydney: Australian Museum; [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://australian.museum/learn/collections/natural-science/entomology/christmas-beetles/anoplognathus-olivieri/

18. Christmas beetle. In: Wikipedia [Internet]. 2024 Sep 1 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_beetle

19. Steinbauer MJ, Wanjura WJ. Christmas Beetles (Anoplognathus spp., Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) mistake peppercorn trees for eucalypts. Journal of Natural History. 2002;36:119-125.

20. Latty T, Reid C. Don't kill the curl grubs in your garden – they could be native beetle babies. The Conversation [Internet]. 2022 Oct 18 [cited 2025 Nov 26]. Available from: https://theconversation.com/dont-kill-the-curl-grubs-in-your-garden-they-could-be-native-beetle-babies-191771

21. Berg MP, Kiers ET, Driessen G, van der Heijden M, Kooi BW, Kuenen F, et al. Belowground Ecology of Scarabs Feeding on Grass Roots: Current Knowledge and Future Directions for Management in Australasia. Frontiers in Plant Science [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2025 Nov 26];7:321. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4802167/