Monday 19 December 2016

The buzz on Christmas beetles

Have you been wondering about the yellow patches in your lawn? Don’t blame the dog for excessive leakage it could be the annual return of the Christmas Beetle.

The Backyard Buddies website explains…Christmas Beetles emerge from the ground to feast on your Eucalyptus trees and lay their eggs in your soil. These large shiny buddies can be different colours depending on the species and where they live – from pale brown with spots to bright green. The larvae have been living underground for the last year, and you might know they are there if you have yellow patches on your lawn – they feed on the grass roots.

They only live a few months so are pretty enthusiastic feeders. They are unlikely to do any real damage, so why not get into the Christmas spirit and let them enjoy their short lives. They are already a food source for possums, currawongs, magpies and predatory wasps.

Christmas Beetles make great little buddies for kids. They are harmless and during the day are a bit tired after their antics of the night before – they go crazy when they see lights at night. They won’t run away or bite and kids can watch them crawl over their hands for ages. What great babysitters!

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