Anoplognathus rugosus, dorsal Click to enlarge image
Christmas Beetles from the Australian Museum Collection. This beetle is yet to have a common name but is known scientifically as Anoplognathus rugosus. Image: Mike Burleigh
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Anoplognathus
    Species
    rugosus
    Subfamily
    Rutelinae
    Family
    Scarabaeidae
    Order
    Coleoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    Length: 18 – 24 mm

Introduction

The species name rugosus means “wrinkled”, referring to the rough surface of its elytra.

The common name “Copper Crown Beetle” was provided by Ayesha Azeem.


What does Anoplognathus rugosus look like?

Identification

Orange to red brown, with golden green reflections, except on elytra. Underside black, with last abdominal segment brown; thorax with long, white, hair except on midline; abdomen with very few, scattered, short, white hair. Legs yellow brown to orange, with weak green reflections; tarsi black.



  • Clypeus

    Clypeus: Evently contracted at middle; strongly recurved; apex square.

  • Foretibia

    Foretibia: Three tibial teeth, two distinct, one weak.

  • Metaventral process

    Metaventral process: Triangular; flat; apex reaching forecoxae.

  • Pygidium

    Pygidium: Red brown, with green reflections; very smooth surface texture; with very few, scattered, fine, erect, yellow hairs near apex.



Where is Anoplognathus rugosus found?

Distribution

South East Australian Coast, from Newcastle, NSW to Chiltern, VIC.



What species are similar to Anoplognathus rugosus?

Similar species

A. porosus, A. pindarus, A. boisduvali.

Anoplognathus rugosus has red brown pygidium with green reflections. The pygidium is also very smooth and shiny, not dull or matt, with only a few scattered setae at its tip, but no distinctive pattern.