Xmas baubles for free

One of the largest families of beetles is Chrysomelidae or the Leaf Beetles. Both the adult beetles and their larvae are herbivores generally eating the young leaves of specific plants during summer.

Eucalyptus Leaf Beetles, pictured left are sometimes called Tortoise Beetles because they can withdraw their legs under the shell when threatened and are often mistaken for Ladybird Beetles because of their shape. They are highly coloured. The adults feed on eucalyptus leaves leaving tell-tale half-moon shaped indentations in the leaf margin when eating.

Even more spectacular in appearance are the leaf beetles of the genus Callidemum, (Callidemum hypochalceum pictured above and right). These beetles have a metallic sheen on their carapace, so much so that it was difficult to photograph without getting your reflection in the image. Their plant of choice is Dodonea (Hop-bush).

If your Xmas tree happens to be a Hop-bush, you may be lucky enough to get these baubles for free.