Tell us what you remember about Christmas beetles!
Hello Everyone,
We’re conducting a research study asking people to share their memories of Christmas beetles so that we can better understand people’s perceptions about Christmas beetle populations. We’d like to hear from as many people as possible, even if you have never seen a Christmas Beetle. It’s very short and will only take a few minutes. Your answers will remain anonymous.
The Survey link is here:
https://utsau.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0PnnydoS0bGcM2W
Thank you for your help and happy holidays!
Cheers
Tanya
Comments
I posted one Calloodes grayianus and one Anoplognathus pallidicollis. I will hopefully add more soon.
And also another member of the Rutelinae.
Hi Folks,
I am also very concerned about the decline in Christmas beetles. I remember cloud of them around the lights at the tennis courts when I was young (late 70s) but have not seen any great numbers since coming back to Australia in late 2001.
Yours in Solidarity for Conservation,
Vanessa
Growing up in Brisbane, QLD, I recall the distinct change in the aroma of the atmosphere as the Christmas beetles made their seasonal presence known. Unfortunately, I have not experienced that smell for some time now. NB: I have a friend who recalls the same events. Thought I had better contribute that information to assist in data diversity for the project.
In the 1990's and early 2000's we had hundreds and hundreds of Christmas beetles on the Eucalypts in our house yard each summer. So many that when I planted young Eucalypts I would catch 2L icecream containers full by hand from the young trees each few days while they were around. My children (in their thirties) use the expression "it smells like Christmas beetles" - their memory of it is so strong. I'm not proud of that now! This year I haven't seen any, last year I saw less than 10, I can't remember when they started to be rare here (2628).
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