A Face Only A Mother Could love

There are 34 species of Anoplognathus beetles in Australia. Eggs are laid in the soil, and that's where the larvae stay until late spring thunderstorm rain softens the ground enough for the beetles to dig their way free. They arrive en-masse, usually in December -hence their common name. Christmas Beetles.

Every morning we sweep up dozens (and sometimes hundreds) -the things are so top heavy that if they tip over they can't right themselves.

This one is a late arrival.