In retrospectively looking back on the festive season along with the current heat of summer, bringing the wilderness alive is a kaleidoscope of tiny creatures. While this plethora of bug life that emerges this time of year isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, they do bring that buzzing energy and liveliness with them to add to the festivities. One of these tiny creatures is the whimsical little Christmas beetle and from as young as I can remember, I knew Christmas was around the corner when they started arriving. Since they are just one of a few familiar favourites that nature dons as its own festive attire, I thought I would share a little more on these small wonders that grace Londolozi during the summer months.

Christmas Beetles

As you probably guessed, their name comes from the timing of their arrival just before Christmas but these jewel-like insects, with their metallic golden brown hues, seem to embody the spirit of celebration. As they are attracted to light in the evenings, they do tend to come in with a crash landing, although one could also say that their rhythmic flight and soft hum of their wings, add a touch of magic to the air. In the spirit of family and coming together over the festive season, it is worth mentioning that the Christmas beetles, also known as flower chafer beetles, are part of the Scarabaeidae family consisting of over 35000 beetles worldwide. This makes the infamous dung rolling beetles, which are also seen through the summer months, a close relative. Like the dung beetles that are known for their efficiency in breaking down and burying animals’ feces, the Christmas beetles contribute to plant pollination and nutrient cycling by feeding on plant matter.

The iridescent hues of Christmas beetles are a result of microscopic scales on their exoskeleton that refract light, creating the mesmerizing colours that characterize these insects.

Shongololos

Local millipedes are affectionately known as Shongololo’s (pronounced shawn-gaw-law-law) and are easily another familiar favourite during the summer. The name is derived from the Xhosa and Zulu word ‘ukushonga’ meaning to roll up as these little creatures do when they are threatened to project their soft underparts.

A very Christmas-coloured pair of millipedes curled up together.

While here at Londolozi you will also hear them being referred to as ‘khongoloti’ (pronounced kong-go-law-tea) referring to their long bodies with their many legs synchronised in motion, resembling trains. As detritivores, you will generally see them marching across the road in search of decaying plant matter to break down and add back to the nutrient cycle. While they may not match the glamour of some of the other seasonal residents, whether curled up or marching along they still add a decorative flair to season.

Foam Nest Frogs

Venturing towards the water’s edges, you will encounter the summer snowballs dangling from several trees. These projective nests are created by the aptly named foam nest frogs. These frogs utilise a unique strategy, whereby a secretion is released and frothed with the hind legs, creating nests of meringue-like foam that shield their eggs from predators and dehydration.

There is a lot more to these ‘snowballs’ dangling from the trees during the summer than meets the eye.

The sight of these bubbly, snowball-shaped nests adds another touch of enchantment to the landscape and showcases the ingenious strategies that nature employs to ensure the survival of its smallest inhabitants.

Golden Orb Spiders

Another ‘creepy crawly’ that deserves attention rather than being shooed out of the way is the golden orb spider. Not only are their yellow marking worth a closer look but their intricate webs drape across the bushveld like tinsel adorning a Christmas tree. As part of the Nephilia genus of arachnids, golden orb spiders can manipulate the concentration of the golden colour in their webs to find the right balance between attracting certain prey species and avoiding their web being detected. The delicate intricacy of their webs is another marvel throughout the summer as they transform mundane pathways into enchanting corridors.

It is theorised that the golden colour is likely to attract bees that might be drawn to the visible yellows reflected in the sunlight (similar in colour to the pollen from flowers), and in the shadows it blends more effectively into the surrounding vegetation, remaining undetected by other insects passing through.

Fire Flies

As night falls, the soft glow of fireflies flickers in the darkness joining in on the magic of the festive season. Their bioluminescent brilliance is produced through a chemical reaction caused by an organic compound (luciferin) and an enzyme (luciferase) in their abdomens. As air rushes into a firefly’s abdomen, the oxygen triggers the chemical reaction resulting in a ‘cold light’ being emitted which we see as the familiar glow. These light displays not only serve as a form of communication, from attracting mates and deterring predators but also add to the beauty of nature’s nighttime spectacle.

Fireflies light up the sky over the Sand River.

As the festive season always seems to fly by, we often look to find moments to pause and savour the smaller joys. The charm of nature’s festive little decorations that are displayed through the abundance of bug life, serves as a reminder to cherish the enchantment of the bush, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the natural world.