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Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus pallidicollis)
They're in for a surprise at the end of the leaf. 'Christmas beetles' are around in Melbourne. Some of ours have very furry undersides. Each is about 30mm long. Lovely blue eyes on these ones.
Under strong night lights at the local school.
This species seems to have more ventral setae in Melbourne as compared to Brisbane... maybe for the colder climate :)
''Anoplognathus pallidicollis'' is a relatively large beetle of the family Scarabaeidae, native to Australia. It grows up to 20 mm in length. Adults are common in the summer months, particularly around Christmas, resulting in the common name of Christmas beetle for the species .
The beetles have rich glossy brown elytra and clypeus, and clawed legs covered in multiple barbs. Like all ''Anoplognathus'' species, the forelegs are of uneven lengths, possibly to better enable them to cling.. more
