The Christmas beetle ( genus Anoplognathus ) is one of 35 species native to Australia. So-called because of its appearance around Christmas time. I've always thought the name was given because of the opalescent sheen. I remember finding thousands of them washed up on the beach during summer holidays around Aldinga in South Australia when I was a boy. This one had hidden itself away in a terracotta pot, but has been re-located under a gum tree. Christmas isn't just one day of the year...
The beetle is beautiful. No, Christmas is not just one day. There are gifts to be found everyday if we just open our eyes and accept.
ReplyDeleteFaisal,
ReplyDeleteI thought you spray painted a beetle. Very cool. We don't have anything like that here, sorry to say.
Indeed, Faisal. The Christmas Beetle isn't just for Christmas. He's a handsome beast, ain't he?
ReplyDeletelovely beetle, I've seen blue ones, I wonder if they come in different colours (like us)
ReplyDeleteGreat color. I imagine that hundreds of them on a coniferous tree gives the impression of sparkling Christmas lights.
ReplyDeleteIt's a real beauty to see..
ReplyDeleteI hope to capture more of my insects during 2012.
Take care..
i`ve never seen anything like this before... looks like made of gold!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I think alot of the gifts are the free ones.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, yes, they're real beauties, quite collectible!
David, yes, better than a Christmas decoration!
Hi Catmint. I get an amazing orange and black thing buzzing around occasionally too.
Michael, if only we could get them all to gather in the same place at the same time!
ReplyDeleteThankyou, Andrew. Good luck - finding them is a revelation.
Hi Demie - yes, very tantalising!
The insects in Seattle are quite dull compared to that.
ReplyDeleteJordan, we are the driest continent on earth, with timelss spaces and overwhelming climatic conditions, but somehow the life that's been able to sustain itself here has been able to proliferate into marvellous forms.
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