All Beetles are classified in the Order Coleoptera. The Family Scarabaeidae has seven subfamilies, including Rutelinae; the Christmas Beetles. These feed on grass roots as larvae and can defoliate trees as adults. The shiny green beetle shown here is a Calloodes species.

This beetle was photographed at the Bore Pump at Mandeni, near Sapphire Coast Drive, 29^th December 2009 (T.Hastings). When picked up and laid on its back, it waved its legs vainly trying to become upright. After a minute, it flicked its wing covers, which jumped a few centimetres into the air, allowing it to land upright. The beetle then kept the wing covers open and, beat its wings and noisily flew away. It flew with its body upright, legs before it, almost hovering and roaring like a small helicopter.

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