2022 50c Christmas In Australia PNC

Depicted on the coin, the Christmas Beetle is a distinctive Australian characteristic of the Christmas season. It is the the common name of the beetle genus Anophlognathus, which is abundant around Christmas. These large beetles typically have elytra (forewings) that are dark or light brown, or green. The genus has about 35 species found all over Australia except in deserts. The larvae spend all year underground feeding on plant roots and decaying organic matter. They hatch at the end of spring to emerge as adult beetles, which live briefly and feed on the top leaves of eucalypt trees.