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Welcome to another Australian Museum Entomology expedition! This expedition is looking at beetles from the scarab subfamily Rutelinae, known as Shining Leaf Chafers. Whilst our Australian Christmas beetles (genus Anoplognathus) are part of the subfamily Rutelinae, there aren't any Christmas beetles in this expedition. Rutelines get their name since the adults feed on foliage and flowers, and many have shiny, iridescent carapaces. The larvae live burrowed in the soil and feed on decaying vegetation and plant roots. Yellowing patches in grass can be caused by the larvae, which has led to some being considered garden pests.

This expedition is part of the Australian Museum's Collection Enhancement Project (CEP). The CEP will result in new levels of access to the AM’s diverse collections, making digital images and meta data easily accessible to First Nations communities, scientists, researchers, students and individuals from Australia and abroad.