Christmas beetles – an official sign of summer

Christmas beetles are considered by many as a sign of summer as they are seasonal and generally active during the warmer months, especially during the festive season. They are abundant in both urban and rural areas close to Christmas.

The name Christmas beetle is commonly applied to the Australian and South African beetle genus Anoplognathus that enjoys lacing the leaves of roses, dahlias and other flowers.

This centimetre long, brown, nocturnal insect is harmless to humans. They have a vibrant brown colour with the larvae white and C-shaped, similar to those of flower chafers and stag beetles.

Their larvae will eat the roots of your grass, but keeping it well-nourished and watered will help the grass stay healthy and feed the baby beetles too.

The adults emerge close to the Christmas period and by the time you see the Christmas beetles, they are at the end of their life cycle.