Nature Matters: The Christmas Beetle Mystery

Count the beetles this Christmas!

Although this event is sold out, you’re still welcome to attend. Please note that space is limited and will be standing room only.

Where Have All the Christmas Beetles Gone?

Christmas Beetles once filled our warm nights with their buzzing presence. Many of us remember them fondly, their numbers so great they seemed impossible to miss. But lately, they’ve become a rare sight. So… where have they gone?

The truth is, we don’t know. But there’s a way you can help uncover the mystery.

Local Shoalhaven resident Brett O’Keeffe is on a mission to bring back the buzz through the Christmas Beetle Count Project, and he wants you to be part of it!

Brett is a PhD Candidate and Casual Academic at the University of Sydney. While his research focuses on the pollination of midge orchids (join our newsletter to find out more), he’s also deeply involved in the Christmas Beetle Count, a citizen science initiative founded by his supervisor, Dr Tanya Latty. Brett collaborates with Invertebrates Australia and volunteers at the Australian Museum, both key partners in the project.

Join Brett as he shares:

• Fascinating stories about Christmas Beetles through the years
• Tips on how to identify these iconic insects
• How to log sightings on the iNaturalist platform
• Why your observations matter for science and conservation
• Ways to support research into other unique Australian species

Let’s count Christmas Beetles — and help bring them back!