How the Christmas Beetle Plans to Stay Cool During This Hot Holiday Season

Melbourne University researchers have discovered that the colourful and Australian Christmas beetle may use its hard outer wings or elytra to keep cool under direct sunlight, but not in the expected way. Image supplied by Laura Ospina-Rozo/ University of Melbourne

Researchers from Melbourne University have discovered how Australia’s Christmas beetles moderate their body temperature through the use of their colourful hard-shell.

There are approximately 36 species of Christmas beetle in Australia and the colour of different species’ “elytra” or hard shell can vary widely. The body temperature of some small animals like insects is directly dependent on their environment and even small changes can impact their fitness.