What causes widespread media attention regarding Christmas beetles during heavy outbreak years?
Answer
The sheer volume of beetles overwhelms the local ecosystem's ability to consume them quickly.
The presence of a few Christmas beetles is considered a normal occurrence linked to their natural cycle. Widespread media coverage and significant public concern arise specifically during population booms, referred to as heavy outbreaks. During these years, the sheer volume or number of beetles produced is so immense that it exceeds the capacity of the local natural ecosystem, particularly native predators like birds and insectivores, to consume them efficiently. This overwhelming quantity turns what would normally be a curiosity into a significant and disruptive garden pest.
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