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Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman

Anoplognathus porosus

Anoplognathus spAnoplognathus macleayi (Christmas Beetle) Anoplognathus porosus Washerwoman (Anoplognathus porosus)

Christmas Beetles are a type of scarab (a group that includes dung beetles and chafers). Compared to other scarabs, Christmas Beetles (genus Anoplognathus) are large and chunky, somewhat flattened in shape and with metallic brown, yellow or pink colours.

Source: Australian Museum1

Anoplognathus porosus occurs along the east coast of Australia. They are commonly called Christmas Beetles, although another common name for this species is Washerwoman.

Anoplognathus porosus feed on Eucalyptus and wll aggregate communally on the tree.

Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus) feeding on the leaves of a eucalypt, Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman

  • Scientific classification
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Subclass: Pterygota
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Polyphaga
  • Infraorder: Scarabaeiformia
  • Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
  • Family: Scarabaeidae
  • Subfamily: Rutelinae
  • Tribe: Anoplognathini
  • Subtribe: Anoplognathina
  • Genus: Anoplognathus
  • Species: Anoplognathus porosus

Footnote & References

  1. Christmas Beetles, Australian Museum, https://australian.museum/learn/collections/natural-science/entomology/christmas-beetles/
  2. Washerwoman (Anoplognathus porosus), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/201879-Anoplognathus-porosus

Coleoptera | Coleoptera Index | Christmas Beetles | Christmas Beetles (Anoplognathus) | Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus brunnipennis) | Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus macleayi) | Washerwoman (Anoplognathus porosus) | Christmas Beetles (Diphucephala)

Anoplognathus spAnoplognathus macleayi (Christmas Beetle) Anoplognathus porosus Washerwoman (Anoplognathus porosus)

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Aphanesthes succine Aporocera speciosa Atractocerus crassicornis Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Carabidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Christmas Beetles Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dicranolaius cinctus Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Malachiinae Mordellidae (Pintail Beetles) Neospades sp Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhinotia haemoptera Rhinotia suturalis Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

InsectsInsects Life Cycle… Bees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Mantodea Moths Neuroptera Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub