Species 4. Anoplognathus spp.
Christmas Beetles.
Estimated Numbers
Unknown numbers remain.
The Challenge
The challenge for humanity to save Christmas Beetles from extinction involves addressing habitat loss, climate change, and the impacts of urbanization and agricultural practices. These iconic beetles, known for their vibrant colors and seasonal appearances, depend on specific native vegetation for food and breeding, which has been significantly diminished due to land clearing and deforestation. Additionally, climate change alters their habitats and disrupts their life cycles, while pollution and pesticide use further threaten their populations.
About the work
— Understories: Christmas beetles…
…features a single, gold (literally), Christmas beetle. Once ubiquitous to the point that an early 20th century newspaper article bemoaned that floating rafts of them in such numbers had clogged up Sydney Harbor boating ways causing great disruption to commerce. Now in serious decline, a single golden beetle hovers conspicuously behind a large glass display case.
The team is currently writing up this into an academic paper and more details will appear here soon.