Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year ...

. Christmas beetles are large (20–30 mm long) members of the scarab family that are noisy and clumsy fliers, similar to the

cockchafer The cockchafer, colloquially called Maybug, Maybeetle, or doodlebug, is the name given to any of the European beetles of the genus ''Melolontha'', in the family Scarabaeidae. Once abundant throughout Europe and a major pest in the periodical ye ...

s of Europe. They typically have

elytra An elytron (; ; , ) is a modified, hardened forewing of beetles (Coleoptera), though a few of the true bugs ( Hemiptera) such as the family Schizopteridae are extremely similar; in true bugs, the forewings are called hemelytra (sometimes altern ...

that are dark or light brown, or green, while some species have a green-yellow

iridescence Iridescence (also known as goniochromism) is the phenomenon of certain surfaces that appear to gradually change color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. Examples of iridescence include soap bubbles, feathers, butterfly ...

. The genus includes 35 species, several of which have been implicated in dieback of

eucalypts Eucalypt is a descriptive name for woody plants with capsule fruiting bodies belonging to seven closely related genera (of the tribe Eucalypteae) found across Australasia: ''Eucalyptus'', ''Corymbia'', ''Angophora'', ''Stockwellia'', '' Allosync ...

. ''

Anoplognathus pallidicollis ''Anoplognathus pallidicollis'' is a relatively large beetle of the family Scarabaeidae, native to Australia. The beetle has a life span of 24 months and it grows up to 20 mm in length. Adults were once common in the summer months, particu ...

'' is the species most commonly observed and associated with the name of Christmas beetle. However, there is a tendency for the name Christmas beetle to be used more ambiguously to refer to other metallic beetles not in this family, such as the stag beetle genus ''

Lamprima ''Lamprima'' is a genus of beetles in the family Lucanidae that contains five species.C.A.M. Reid, K. Smith, M. Beatson (2018) Revision of the Genus ''Lamprima'' Latreille, 1804 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae). Zootaxa. 4446(2); 151–202. doi:10.11646/ ...

''. The smaller Argentine lawn beetle, ''

Cyclocephala ''Cyclocephala'' is a genus of scarab beetles from the subfamily Dynastinae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae). Beetles of this genus occur from southeastern Canada to Argentina and the West Indies. Adults of this genus are nocturnal or crepuscular, an ...

signaticollis'', is prevalent in December and may also be referred to as a "Christmas beetle", labelled by the Australian Museum as an "impostor".Australian Museum, Bushblitz, Mike HB Illustration. ''Xmas Beetle ID Guide'' mobile app. Vi

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Species

Species include: * ''

Anoplognathus abnormis ''Anoplognathus abnormis'' is a species of beetle within the family Scarabaeidae. The species is found in Queensland, Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising t ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus aeneus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus aureus ''Anoplognathus aureus'', commonly known as the gold Christmas beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to northern Australia, from northeastern Queensland to northern Western Australia. It is prized by collectors. English entomol ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus blackdownensis Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus boisduvalii ''Anoplognathus boisduvalii'' is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia. References Scarabaeidae Beetles described in 1835 {{Scarabaeidae-stub ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus brevicollis Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus brunnipennis ''Anoplognathus brunnipennis'', commonly known as the brown- or golden-brown Christmas beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia, being common in coastal Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, the Great Divid ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus chloropyrus ''Anoplognathus brunnipennis'', commonly known as the brown- or golden-brown Christmas beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia, being common in coastal Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, the Great Dividi ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus concolor Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus daemeli Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus flindersensis Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus hirsutus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus macalpinei Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus macleayi Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus montanus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus multiseriatus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus narmarus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus nebulosus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus olivieri ''Anoplognathus olivieri'' is a species of beetle within the genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classificati ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus parvulus ''Anoplognathus parvulus'' is a beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus pindarus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus porosus ''Anoplognathus porosus'' is a species of beetle within the genus ''Anoplognathus''. Description ''Anoplognathus porosus'' is similar to ''Anoplognathus olivieri ''Anoplognathus olivieri'' is a species of beetle within the genus Genus ( ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus prasinus ''Anoplognathus prasinus'', commonly known as the green Christmas beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia. The green Christmas beetle was described by Francis de Laporte de Castelnau in 1840 as ''Paranonca pr ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus punctulatus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus rhinastus ''Anoplognathus rhinastus'' is a species of beetle in the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia. It is about 24-25 mm in length. Blanchard, E. (1850). Catalogue des collections Entomologiques du Muséum d’Histoire naturelle de Paris ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus rothschildti Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus rubiginosus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus rugosus ''Anoplognathus rugosus'', commonly known as washerwoman, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia and Tasmania. References Scarabaeidae Beetles described in 1818 Beetles of Australia Taxa named by William Kir ...

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Anoplognathus smaragdinus ''Anoplognathus smaragdinus'' is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to Queensland, Australia. References Scarabaeidae Beetles described in 1818 {{Scarabaeidae-stub ...

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Anoplognathus suturalis Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nb ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus velutinus Christmas beetle is a name commonly applied to the Australian beetle genus ''Anoplognathus''. They are known as Christmas beetles because they are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas. Christmas beetles are large (20–30&nbs ...

'' * ''

Anoplognathus viridiaeneus ''Anoplognathus viridiaeneus'', commonly known as the king Christmas beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia. The largest Christmas beetle, it can be over long. Taxonomy Edward Donovan described the King Chr ...

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Anoplognathus viriditarsis ''Anoplognathus viriditarsis'' is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae native to eastern Australia. References Scarabaeidae Beetles described in 1815 {{Scarabaeidae-stub ...

References

''Anoplognathus''
ANIC Specimen Database. Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO Entomology {{Taxonbar, from=Q2852318 Scarabaeidae Beetles of Australia