Christmas Beetles

There are 35 species of Christmas Beetles all of which are unique (endemic) to Australia with 21 species found in New South Wales. 

At least 10 species occur in the Sydney region, more if the Blue Mountains west of the city are included.
They are also found in forests and woodlands in other parts of southern and eastern Australia.
Anoplognathus viriditarsis is the largest of the Sydney Christmas beetles.
They have vibrant colours and the adults emerge close to the Christmas period.

The beetles come into Sydney from surrounding woodland where the adults feed on eucalyptus leaves and the larvae feed on grass roots.
In the past adults occurred in large numbers, sometimes completely defoliating trees.

But where have they gone?
I didn’t see one this year or in recent years for that matter.
It has been reported that total number of Christmas Beetles in the Sydney area has declined over the last 3 decades as the grassy woodland areas get used up for housing.
Sadly a sign of the times for our native wildlife inhabitants.