Find more fun facts about beetles and other beetle information for kids in our student pest guide. When a bug is dead or dying, it cannot maintain tension in its leg muscles and naturally falls into a state of relaxation. The mated females burrow 5-10 centimetres into soil to lay about 40 eggs in small cavities. I love these amazing creatures and find their life cycle fascinating. The Christmas beetle is found across Australia, with the exception of our deserts. Did you know that adult beetles have two sets of wings? Why do beetles have shiny backs? Many beetles are heavily armored, even though this protection can make them very awkward in their movements. Christmas beetle, Anoplognathus sp., are often seen as their name suggests, at the close of the year from November to January. While Volkswagen has announced—for a second time—that it's going to cease production on the Beetle, people are still singing the praises of the quirky little car. Most insects lives are short lived, one way or another. Beetles have shiny back because of a chemical in their body. Why Do Bugs Roll Onto Their Backs When They Die? It's your turn to Ask Smithsonian. And turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven ill be alone will forgive their sin and heal their land on this note. Instead, their nervous system isn't working well by this time. Some beetle species destroy crops or property, while some species help get rid of garbage, eat dead trees or help pollinate flowers. The classic habitat for Christmas beetles is woodland, where there are plenty of trees and rich soil. It can take up to three years for them to grow from an egg to an adult. So why do those nasty little pests flip over when they die? If there really is a just and loving God, why do beetles get stuck on their backs and die? Beetles are found on land and in fresh water and can adapt to almost any environment. We now have the answer to Slate.com's question of the year. Q: If God designed Christmas beetles so they cannot right themselves when they fall on their backs, do I have any right to intervene if I see them waving their legs in the air for help? There are around 35 endemic species, with the most common ones including Anoplognathus chloropyrus and Anoplognathus montanus (both golden-brown beetles).. June bugs center of weight takes a GOOD breeze to tip them back on your feet. Beetles can both hurt and help the environment. The most common explanation for why bugs die on their backs is something called the "position of flexion." Dramatic moment scaffolding collapses in front of stunned Christmas shoppers and comes crashing down onto a car in a busy high street. Christmas beetles emerge each summer around Christmastime after waiting underground all year. By Remy Melina 08 June 2011. Relevance. Also, my beetles tend to get stuck on their backs in their substrate, like really often. Ask Smithsonian: Why Do Bugs Die on Their Backs?