Rusty the Christmas Beetle
Rusty the Christmas Beetle
By artist: Vanessa Fitzgerald Scott
Eco-printed papers/card, botanical fiber paper, wire, glue, watercolour, sumi ink, tissue paper and recycled papers/cardboard. 15 x 20 x 9 cm
Have you noticed many Christmas Beetles around Brisbane in the last few years? All but one of approximately 36 species of Christmas Beetles (family Scarabaeidae) are unique (endemic) to Australia, but over the last 30 years their population numbers have dwindled drastically. The female Christmas Beetle lays her eggs in soil or compost, and the larvae that hatches takes about a year to mature into adults that emerge around December and remain active through Australia’s Christmas season. Out of the shadows emerges the most beautiful of beetles, sparkling and shimmering in the light. Rusty comes with his own compost-emulating storage box, which doubles as his hiding place (storage) or as his display platform… and a zine that documents his cause.
About the artist.
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live, create and show my art. I pay my respects to First Nations Elders, past, present and emerging; and extend that respect to all Mob alive today. I am a proud Bundjalung woman who enjoys creating art, connecting with community and living life on Meanjin country. A few of my favourite things include: all things paper related, especially playing with recycled and botanical paper pulp; nature-driven printing and mark making; and all organisms that fall into the insect and arachnid families. I would consider myself an established artist, with around 30 years of design experience covering digital and print formats.
Collection or delivery.
--Due to plant materials being used in this artwork, this item is only suitable for collection or delivery by courier within QLD, NSW, SA or VIC (not NT, TAS or WA) - please contact us to arrange a quote for courier delivery outside of Brisbane.--
This item is part of the Plant Empire Garden Art Exhibition, on display at Plant Empire from 17 October - 22 November 2026. Exhibition items are available for sale in person or online. In the unlikely event that a customer purchases the item in-store at the same time as it is sold online, we will refund the online purchase - thank you in advance for your understanding if this situation does occur. Exhibition pieces will be available for collection in-store or delivered from 23 November: to collect your item in person, please select the 'in-store pickup' option at checkout; or to have it delivered, please select either the Australia Post or courier option (Brisbane only) at checkout and your delivery fee will be calculated automatically.