KRASH NEWZ
BEETLE INVASION
Tasmanian homes have been invaded by black-headed cockchafer beetles following a recent stint of hot, wet weather. Senior curator of invertebrate zoology at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Dr Simon Grove, said the beetles were originally found throughout southeast Australia and have “all emerged at the same time.” Whilst the presence of the insects was not determined to be unusual, the large numbers has been identified as within plague proportions in some cases. The beetles are a scarab beetle within the dung beetle family and are relatively harmless. Grove explained that the insects have likely ventured indoors because “They end up flying towards the light and get hopelessly attracted.” One resident posted a video that showed thousands of
