So THAT’S where they’ve gone! Mystery of a missing Australian summer creature is solved
- The population of Christmas beetles are slowly depleting, experts warn
- Dr Ken Walker from Museum Victoria said the 10-year drought is to blame
- With the increasingly dry and hot weather, they can’t feed on rotting logs
If you’re wondering where all the Christmas beetles have gone, you are not alone.
On Thursday, radio presenter Kate Stevenson, from 3AW Breakfast, sparked a fierce debate about where the insects, synonymous with Christmas in Australia, had gone.
Experts have now explained the reason why the population of colourful beetles have dropped.
Dr Ken Walker, from Museum Victoria, said Christmas beetles have declined because there is simply not enough food for them.
The population of Christmas beetles are slowly depleting, experts warn
Dr Ken Walker from Museum Victoria explained the drought is to be blamed for the decrease in Christmas beetles
One woman from Mackay, Queensland, took to Instagram to say had seen her first Christmas beetle in ‘about 25 years’
He explained that a series of bad droughts have dried out rotting wood, the main food source for Christmas beetles’ larvae.
Mr Walker told 3AW, ‘It’s mainly due to the drought; these insects, they breed in rotting logs under the ground, and feed on rotting woods.
‘So as it dries out, they simply loose their food,’ Mr Walker said.
Many took to social media on Thursday asking where the Christmas beetles are this season.
One woman from Mackay, Queensland, took to Instagram saying she saw her first Christmas beetle in ‘about 25 years.’
‘Today… I spotted a Christmas beetle. I haven’t seen one of these in about 25 years,’ she said.
Dr Ken Walker from Museum Victoria said the beetles are still around but at a ‘much lower number’ because of the drought
Christmas beetles are 15-40mm in size and come in a variety of colours from golden brown, to green, black, and light pink, according to the Queensland Museum.
They are mainly found in eastern Australia and usually come out in mid summer.
Adult beetles feed on eucalyptus leaves and woodland, while their larvae feed on roots, rotting logs, and grass.
What are Christmas beetles?
- Christmas beetles, scientifically known as Anoplognathus, are usually found at Christmas time in eastern Australia
- There are 35 different species and they range from 15-40mm in size
- The creepy crawlies come in a range of colours from golden brown, green, black, light pink and yellow
- Christmas beetles are mostly found in the evening and near bright lights
- Adult beetles feed on eucalyptus leaves and woodland, while their larvae feed on roots, rotting logs and grass lawns