The gold Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus aureus) was named the 2026 ABC Australian Insect of the Year, ABC News reported on 10 November 2026. The northern Queensland species received 17,454 votes, or more than 39.3 per cent, in the online poll, which drew 44,472 voters across six finalists.

The tortoise-shelled ladybird (Harmonia testudinaria) placed second with 11,069 votes, just under a quarter of the total. The Otway glow-worm (Arachnocampa otwayensis) took 10.9 per cent (4,830 votes) and the stalk-eyed signal fly (Achias australis) 10.1 per cent (4,508). The critically endangered Mallee bronze azure butterfly received about 8 per cent (3,574 votes) and the orchard swallowtail 6.8 per cent (3,037).

Invertebrates Australia founder Kate Umbers, who nominated the winner, said the result offered hope amid concern that some Christmas beetle species are in decline. The group runs a count asking people to record Christmas beetles over summer and submit sightings to iNaturalist Australia. The report noted the announcement coincided with Australian Pollinator Week (November 7-15) and the upcoming Bugs in my Backyard week (November 16-22).