Anoplognathus spChristmas Beetle (Anoplognathus macleayi) Anoplognathus porosus
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus macleayi) are scarabs that are sometimes referenced in the subfamilia Rutelinae, and belonging to the family Scarabaeidae, genus Anoplognathus, consisting of more then 30 species.
Found in parts of Western Australia, Central Australia and into the northern parts of the Territory, Anoplognathus macleayi, the Christmas Beetles are relatively large with spiny legs that are used for digging.
Sometimes known as a member of the Shining Leaf Chafers, in the subfamily Rutelinae, this is most likely the subspecies Anoplognathus macleayi ssp. macleayi.
The pictured beetle is cream with a slight gold colouration. Christmas beetles are quite vibrant in appearance, and depending on the species, often yellow, golden or a bright metallic green.
These scarab beetles reproduce yearly, with the eggs laid into the soil. The larva feed and grow through the year. Pupation takes a few weeks, with the adults emerging in spring to early summer.
As adults, Christmas beetles tend to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves.
- 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 macleayi
- Subspecies:
- Anoplognathus macleayi ssp. aurora
- Anoplognathus macleayi ssp. macleayi
Footnote & References
- Anoplognathus macleayi, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/895769-Anoplognathus-macleayi
Anoplognathus spChristmas Beetle (Anoplognathus macleayi) Anoplognathus porosus
ColeopteraAmarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Buprestidae Cerambycidae Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Digitonthophagus gazella Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Johannica gemellata (Pandorea Leaf Beetle) Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Neospades sp Lycidae Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Pittosporum Leaf Beetle (Lamprolina impressicollis) Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus
InsectsBees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera (True Bugs) Mango Planthopper Moths Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Syrphidae Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub