Australia Hosts 30,000 Beetle Species, a Quarter of All Animals

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Beetles make up a quarter of all animal species, with Australia home to an amazing 30,000 different types.

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Unlike other insects, beetles keep their soft wings safe under hard protective covers when not flying.

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Summer brings out more beetles in Australia, showing off their beautiful colors and patterns in the warm weather.

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Flower chafers help plants grow by moving pollen between flowers while getting their food from nectar.

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The eye-catching fiddler beetle, found on Australia's east coast, sports green and black marks that look like a violin.

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Stag beetles turn dead wood into rich soil, while their bodies shine in gold, green, purple, and blue colors.

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Christmas beetles used to show up in huge numbers during summer holidays, but fewer are seen these days.

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Australia has 1,200 types of jewel beetles that sparkle with metallic colors to keep predators away.

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Diamond weevils, first found 250 years ago, come in stunning blues, yellows, and greens along the coast.

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Scientists keep finding new beetle types, but these helpful insects need protection from vanishing homes and harmful sprays.

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